Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression

The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression is an independently funded organization associated with the University of Virginia and dedicated to the protection of freedom of speech. Founded in 1989 and headed by former UVA president Robert M. O'Neil since its founding, the organization manages a number of programs and activities to support its mission, including testifying before Congress, providing legal briefs, educational programs, a variety of art-related exhibit programs and prizes, and the Jefferson Muzzles.

Jefferson Muzzles

The Center's most famous project is the Jefferson Muzzles, awarded annually since 1992 to draw attention to "abridgements of free speech and press." Past Jefferson Muzzles have been awarded to recipients "all over the political spectrum."

Notable Jefferson Muzzle recipients

• University of Wisconsin and Stanford University (1992)
• President George H. W. Bush (1992)
• The Democratic and Republican National Committees (1993, 2004)
• CBS News (2000), CBS Television (1996, 2004)
• Janet Reno (1994)
• The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (1995)
• Rudy Giuliani (1998,1999 (Lifetime Award recipient), 2000)
• President Bill Clinton's administration (2000)
• President George W. Bush's presidential campaign (2000)
• Donald Rumsfeld (2002)
• John Ashcroft (2003)
• The 106th and 107th United States Congress (2001,2003)
• The Federal Communications Commission (2005, 2008 (Lifetime Award recipient))
• NASCAR (2005)
• President George W. Bush (2006)
• Oak Ridge High School (Oak Ridge, Tennessee) (2006)
• State legislative bodies in Texas (1998), Virginia (2000 and 2005), North Carolina (2003), South Carolina (2004), Ohio (2007)
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (2008)
• The 2007 Managing Board of the Cavalier Daily (2008)
• Alan Grayson (2010)

Official Website

Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression[1]