Toby Nixon Award

The Toby Nixon Award (formerly the Madison Award) goes this year to TVW, a nonprofit cable and webcasting channel that is celebrating its 30th year of providing unedited coverage of state government, politics and public policy, enabling greater access by the people.

“TVW was founded on the belief that the public has a right to know,” said Mike Fancher, president of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. He notes that the service maintains a repository of digital archives as well as broadcasting and webcasting hearings and legislative sessions live.

Fancher notes that “the mission of TVW has much in common with WashCOG.” The service’s guiding principles are:

• Open government – “Government belongs to the people of Washington, who deserve complete access to the workings of their state government.”

• Nonpartisan coverage – “We seek to tell authentic stories, stay meticulously nonpartisan and let viewers make their own decisions about the issues.”

• Civics Education --  “We work to educate Washingtonians of all ages about their state government, and invite them to engage and participate.”

TVW has also produced candidate debates that are broadcast on many media outlets. During the pandemic, its work was especially important, because it brought legislative action into people’s homes during remote proceedings.

Among its many awards, TVW has won eight northwest regional Emmy Awards and 11 awards from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).

In 2009 WashCOG gave the then-Madison Award TVW cofounders Stan Marshburn and Denny Heck. That award went to them personally for their vision and the creation of TVW. This award goes to TVW itself for its continuing excellence in promoting open government and public involvement.

“Last of all, TVW has been of tremendous support to the Washington Coalition for Open Government,” Fancher noted. “It is a genuine partner in our advocacy for the people’s right to access government.”

WashCOG has presented the Madison Award — now the Toby Nixon Award — annually to an individual or organization whose long-term commitment to the cause of open government is demonstrated through exemplary words or deeds. The renaming of the award was unveiled at the 2022 Sunshine Breakfast Awards in celebration of the Coalition’s 20th year.