GFAF award celebrating open government, free speech will be presented Oct. 21.
Freedom of information is at the heart of Sally Bethea’s environmental advocacy.
As the first Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Bethea relied on government records, meetings and proceedings in her fight to make the river cleaner, safer and more enjoyable for Georgians. Sunshine laws enabled her to keep tabs on what government agencies at all levels were doing about pollution.
Bethea galvanized citizens, calling on them to speak out about the health of their river. And, with a keen understanding of the power of the press, Bethea brought journalists to the Chattahoochee, explained the problems there, proposed solutions and encouraged them to let Georgians know what was going on.
Her success at leveraging Sunshine Laws, government regulations and the collective power of the people and press to create positive environmental change is the reason the Georgia First Amendment Foundation is honoring Bethea with the 2024 Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award.
“Our work to protect the Chattahoochee River for people and wildlife depends on openness and transparency at local, state and federal government levels, enhanced by the work of a free press,” Bethea said. “Journalists play a pivotal role in helping advocates seek justice for the environment and for communities.”
Bethea will receive the award and give the keynote speech at GFAF’s 2024 Weltner Banquet, 6:30-9 p.m., Oct. 21, at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta. For information about event sponsorships, please email info@gfaf.org. Individual tickets are available at https://bit.ly/Weltner24.
For more than two decades as riverkeeper, Bethea led efforts to restore the Chattahoochee for the people, animals and plants that rely on its waters. She now advises a new generation of river advocates and continues to engage Georgians in fighting for their right to clean water and safe recreation.
>>> Learn more about GFAF’s Weltner Award history and past honorees.
