The Observer’s Thomas Harding was awarded the 2010 Outstanding Journalist Award from the West Virginia Association for Justice on June 3, 2010 at the WVAJ 52nd Annual Convention and Seminar in Charleston, W.Va. Beth White, WVAJ executive director and Timothy C. Bailey, WVAJ past president, presented the award in recognition of The Observer’s efforts to shed light on the democratic process, in particular, the Freedom Of Information aAt request for petition names gathered for the November 2009 zoning referendum in Jefferson County.

In presenting the award White said, “The media play a critical role in exposing the abuses and corruption of government, corporate special interests and individuals–they are the watchdogs of our society.  The West Virginia Association for Justice honored Thomas Harding and the Shepherdstown Observer with this year’s media award in recognition of his commitment not only to  informing the public, but also ensuring that the First Amendment right  of freedom of the press to fully investigate and publish these stories  is upheld,” said Beth A. White, executive director of the West  Virginia Association for Justice.