It's time to get even with that publicly funded government, department or agency whose information is kept in the murky shadows.”

It's time to get even with that publicly funded government, department or agency whose information is kept in the murky shadows.”

So says the Canadian Association of Journalists which is accepting nominations for its 13th annual Code of Silence Award recognizing Canada's most secretive publicly funded body.

Previous winners include the Harper government, Toronto Police Service, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Here are some nominations the CAJ has received for this year, according to the press release:

  • Canadian scientists are being increasingly muzzled when they conduct research resulting in findings that do not align with the government's agenda
  • The Municipality of Central Huron, Ontario: As J-Source reported, “this small municipal council recently had its wrist slapped for a series of closed-door meetings— “most gallingly, one where councillors discussed whether or not to formally complain about a local journalist and ban her from attending future meetings.”
  • The Resort Municipality of Whistler (B.C.), which has a new communications policy allowing media to have on-the-record conversationswith only three specified individuals.  

Nominations should be e-mailed by May 4 to CAJ president Hugo Rodrigues at hugo@caj.ca.