- Judge John C. Stellakis
Attorney John Charles Stellakis is one of 35 distinguished community leaders who have been appointed to judge the news in the Fair Media Council’s annual Folio Awards program, a high-profile celebration of news that has been judged by the public to best represent what the Long Island community wants and needs in its news.
Thomas Jefferson in his first inaugural address of 1801 “deemed [one] of the essential principles of our government” to be “the diffusion of information, and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of the public reason.” A nascent precept in 1801, which has become increasingly significant today, the unfettered diffusion of quality, relevant information enlightening the public creates the foundation of the fair, just and efficient governance of our country and localities. The Fair Media Council matters to Long Island because the program seeks to ensure our news and media outlets disseminate truthful and pertinent information to community in order to perpetuate accountability and an informed electorate so that we can better understand the world and communities we live in, how our world and communities are affected and impacted by various externalities and how we can improve the world and communities we live in by seeking to promulgate positive change.
Stellakis is an associate attorney at the Mineola-based law firm Murphy Bartol & O’Brien.
Folio judges spend countless hours reviewing hundreds of news stories, which are submitted by media outlets primarily from the New York metro area, but often as far away as Canada.
“The Folio Awards is a green-light ethics program, unlike any in the country, which shows the media what the public wants in its news,” said FMC CEO Jaci Clement. “It’s an incredibly effective method for improving the quality of local news. We are honored to have such exemplary community leaders serve as Folio judges and make this program possible.”
Judging results will be made public at the FMC Folio Awards, a star-studded affair that is the biggest media event on Long Island, on Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club. About 600 business, community and government leaders, as well as the media, attend. Major supporters to date include Briarcliffe College, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, North Shore-LIJ Health System, WeiserMazars LLP, PSEG, Protiviti, Hofstra University and the law firm of Murphy Bartol & O’Brien.
FMC Folio Award sponsorships, tables, advertising and tickets are available by clicking here.