NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Sam Kennedy, a former Tennessee Press Association president who helped push for the state’s sunshine law, is being inducted to the State Open Government Hall of Fame in Washington this weekend.
Kennedy was the editor and publisher of the Columbia Daily Herald and led the government affairs committee of the Tennessee Press Association for 30 years. He is credited with helping draft the open government law that was passed by state lawmakers in 1974. He also helped pass the 1973 reporter’s shield law in Tennessee.
Kennedy still writes a column for the newspaper he sold in 1983.
A panel from the National Freedom of Information Coalition and Society of Professional Journalists elected Kennedy is the 16th member of the hall of fame. His formal induction is on Saturday.
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