Thomas Madrecki and Archie Raval

Jefferson "Muzzle" awards focus on free speech

While there are many awards that recognize individuals for upholding the ideals set forth by Thomas Jefferson, the Muzzle Awards are some of the few that recognize individuals believed to undermine the values he espoused. The Charlottesville-based Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, an autonomous, non-profit group advocating freedom of expression, announced the recipients of the 2007 Jefferson "Muzzle Award" yesterday. According to Josh Wheeler, associate director of the Thomas Jefferson Center, the awards are given annually on or near Thomas Jefferson's birthday and are presented to institutions or individuals who impeded free expression during the preceding year. "When the program first started 16 years ago, it was just us keeping our eyes and ears open for violations," Wheeler said.