Richard Cardwell

1982

Induction into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame is open not only to journalists but to others as well who have made significant contributions to journalism.

As general counsel of the Hoosier State Press Association since 1961, Richard Cardwell has the job of attending to legal concerns of interest to the association. He has gone far beyond the mere perfunctory performance of his duties; however, because of his interest in journalism and his demonstrated awareness of the role that freedom of the press plays in our political system, he has become not only the leading spokesman for journalism in Indiana but a state and national leader involved in various aspects of journalism as well.

His accomplishments have included:
• Member of the advisory council of the Freedom of Information Center at Columbia, Mo., and president of the Freedom of Information Foundation
• President of Newspaper Association Managers
• Chairman of the board of publications of Indiana University
• Chairman of the committee on public notice advertising of the National Newspaper Association
• Instructor on law of the press at Butler University and on communications law; on law for laymen and on the criminal justice system and the media at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis
• Columnist on the legal aspects of publication for the National Publisher Magazine
• A witness many times before congressional committees on matters relating to copyright revision, taxation and freedom of the press
• The chief spokesman for Indiana journalism at the Indiana General Assembly and primary author of bills advancing the cause of journalism including the Open Door Law and the law requiring formal hearings judges before the public, including the press, can be excluded from courtrooms
Further demonstration of Richard Cardwell’s high standing in journalistic circles in Indiana is evidenced by the many awards he has received. These include:
• Recipient of the Indiana Journalism Award from the Ball State University Center for Journalism
• Recipient of both the Distinguished Service Award and the Friend of Freedom Award from the Indiana Professional Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi
• Recipient of the Elihu Stout Award for Distinguished Service to Journalism from Vincennes University

A native of Clarksburg, W.Va., Cardwell was graduated from Kokomo High School in 1951, from Indiana University with a double major in journalism and government in 1955 and from the Indiana University School of Law with a doctorate in jurisprudence in 1958. He now lives in Indianapolis.