Effingham County native Robert M. Williams Jr., editor and publisher of The Blackshear Times, will be honored during the National Newspaper Association’s 121st Annual Convention and Trade Show, in Norfolk, Va., next month with the 2007 James O. Amos Award.
The announcement was made this week by Jerry Tidwell, publisher of the Hood County News in Granbury, Texas, and president of the NNA.
Recognized as the highest honor in community journalism, the Amos Award is presented to a working or retired newspaperman who has provided “distinguished service and leadership to the community press and his community,” said Tidwell.
Judges commented that Williams is, “an impressive nominee with a long list of professional, community and civic achievements. His advocacy for NNA, as well as for improvement in his community and newspaper show the kind of enlightenment that the Amos Award was created to promote.”
“It is amazing that with the amount of ‘hands-on’ involvement Williams has in publishing his paper, he finds the time for so many community and state activities.”
Judges applauded Williams’ energy and said he is “Full throttle on all cylinders from day one. His energy and commitment to excellence has to be contagious.”
In a recommendation letter for Williams, Robin Rhodes, executive director of the Georgia Press Association said, “Robert Williams is one of the finest community journalists known in Georgia and it can be said that Robert makes a difference in people’s lives.”
Williams is chairman and publisher of the SouthFire Newspapers Group that publishes weekly newspapers in Alma, Ocilla, McRae and Forsyth. He is a former owner of newspapers in Homerville, Richmond Hill and Callahan, Fla. His columns appear in numerous Georgia newspapers, including the Effingham Herald, and his commentaries have aired on Georgia Public Radio.
The Amos Award was established in 1938 in honor of Gen. James O. Amos, a pioneer Ohio journalist and member of the National Editorial Association, now known as the National Newspaper Association. Williams becomes the third Georgian to ever receive the prestigious award.
Previous winners were Alva Haywood, publisher of the Warrenton Clipper, and William C. Rogers Sr., publisher of the Swainsboro Forest-Blade.
