How sweet it is! Rochester Voice takes home Nackey Loeb 1st Amendment Award

Rochester Voice editor Harrison Thorp with the First Amendment Award presented him Thursday afternoon at the Nackey Loeb School of Communications inside the NH Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. (Cliff Newton photo)

MANCHESTER - The Rochester Voice was honored on Thursday with the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications First Amendment Award for its unwavering effort to secure 91-A Right to Know protections with the City of Rochester, which began refusing editor Harrison Thorp's requests for government documents in April of 2023, because Thorp is not a citizen of New Hampshire.
The First Amendment Award Event was hosted by the NH Institute of Politics on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester.
In a statement detailing the background to Thorp's winning the coveted award, the Nackey Loesb School of Communications noted that The Rochester Voice has been steadfast over the past 18 months in its pursuit of accountability that the citizens of Rochester deserve from their municipal government.
"The Rochester Voice is being recognized for its pursuit of government transparency," the statement reads. "Thorp challenged the City of Rochester under the Right to Know law, receiving repeated denials based on where he lives. Thorp continued his fight, leading to a landmark ruling affirming his rights as a journalist. The Rochester Voice's efforts underscore the vital role of the press in holding local government accountable and ensuring public access to information."

After receiving the award Thorp said he was thrilled, humbled and grateful to be the recipient of such an awe-inspiring honor.

"This is truly beyond all my comprehension," he said. "It just inspires me to continue the fight until justice is achieved."

The award was presented Thorp by longtime New Hampshire journalist Annemarie Timmins.
Arlene Quaratiello of Atkinson also won a First Amendment Award for her defense of free speech. Quaratiello fought back after her dismissal from the Dudley-Tucker Library in Raymond.
"Her termination, following her support for political candidates outside her work and hometown, raised significant First Amendment concerns," the Nackey Loeb school said in a statement. "After a lengthy battle, a consent decree was reached, affirming her right to engage in political activities outside work."
Despite Thorp's landmark win in Strafford Superior Court in August, the City of Rochester continues to routinely deny The Rochester Voice RTK protections, such as refusing to note why a RTK request has been denied within the five-day notice required by the 91-A statute.
The City of Rochester is also aware that The Rochester Voice incorporated in the state of New Hampshire earlier this year.

Past honorees of the First Amendment Award include some exceptional people and news outlets including James Foley, Right to Know NH and David Saad, The Laconia Citizen and The Portsmouth Herald.