Friend of Access Awards
Who is eligible for a Friend of Access Award?
The Friend of Access Award recognizes people in Wisconsin who understand, support, and champion community media. It could be someone who made one significant impact on the success of a PEG media center or it could be someone who has been involved in community media for many years and has demonstrated a dedication to its mission.
The Friend of Access Award plaque reads, In recognition of your work to preserve the true democratic voice of the community, Public, Education, and Government Access Television.
Who is eligible? The nominee should be someone NOT working for pay at your community access center. However, this person could be someone serving on your governing board.
When is the award given? The Friend of Access Award is presented during the Best of the Midwest Media Fest. The 2024 fest will be held at the Lismore Hotel in Eau Claire at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Who presents the award? The award is presented jointly by the President of the WCM Board of Directors and the person who submitted the nomination. The award recipient typically says a few words when receiving the award.
Who decides who receives the Friend of Access Award? The Board of Directors makes the final decision at their February meeting.
2025 Award Recipients
WCM
Look for the upcoming announcement of our 2025 Friend of Access in the next month!
Past Award Recipients
2024
Nancy Bergman - WTCO, Trempealeau County Community Television
Mike Weigel - Marshfield Broadcasting
2023
Mike Powers
Mayor Aaron Richardson
2022
John Wells
2021
Daryl Joten
Nancy Chase McMahon
2020
Plymouth Community TV and the Bauman family
2019
Milt Van Natta - Wisconsin Rapids Community Media
2018
Al Reinhart - Algoma Community Television
Mary Ann Wold - Valley Media Works, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
James Wyngaard - WSTO TV, Stoughton, Wisconsin/ Sun Prairie Media Center, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin / WMCF - McFarland, Wisconsin
2017
League of Wisconsin Municipalities
2016
Olin Fimreite - Trempealeau County Community Television
2015
Joe Eckberg - Camera Corner - Green Bay
Wes Dixon - Key West - Lenexa, Kansas
Dave Leighton - Leightronix - Holt, Michigan
2014
Most Reverend John Charles Wester
Bishop of Salt Lake City and the Chairman of the U. S. Council of Catholic Bishops
Bunnie Riedel - Executive Director, American Community Television
2013
Sue Buske - The Buske Group
2012
U. S. Representative Tammy Baldwin
2011
Mary Cardona - Executive Director, Wisconsin Community Media
2010
State Representative Terese Berceau
State Representative Garey Bies
State Representative Gary Hebl
State Representative Mary Hubler
2009
Attorney Anita Gallucci
Attorney Joe Van Eaton
Professor Barry Orton
2008
State Senator Kathleen Vinehout
2007
State Representative Gary Hebl
State Representative Louis Molepske
State Senator Judy Robson
Friends of Oshkosh Community Media
2006
U. S. Representative Tammy Baldwin
