Who is the most secretive person in the federal government? An organization wants to find out.
Investigative Reporters & Editors, Inc. is creating a new award called the Golden Padlock that will recognize the most secretive publicly funded agency or person in the country.
“This honor acknowledges the dedication of government officials working tirelessly to keep vital information hidden from the public,” said David Cay Johnston, president of IRE. “Their abiding commitment to secrecy and impressive skill in information suppression routinely keeps knowledge about everything from public health risks to government waste beyond the reach of citizens who pay their salaries.”
Nominations can be emailed to goldenpadlock@ire.org until May 24.
Governments at all levels, including state and local, are eligible for the award. A list of finalists will be announced in June, and the award will be handed out annually at IRE’s national conference June 20-23 in San Antonio, Texas.
