[Note: For an extensive defense of Ben Stein’s documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, please see: NCSE Exposed at NCSEExposed.org]

Ben Stein was just recognized by the Entertainment Merchants Association for his courageous work in Expelled.
From here:

EMA’s Freedom of Expression Award, which previously has been presented to George Carlin and the Smothers Brothers, recognizes individuals associated with the home entertainment industry who have spoken out on important political, social, and cultural issues, often at considerable professional risk. EMA champions the First Amendment rights of DVD and video game retailers and their customers by actively opposing legislative proposals that would curtail those rights and filing legal challenges to laws that violate the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, no matter how unpopular that expression may be.

“Just being a conservative in Hollywood categorizes Ben Stein as courageous,” noted Bo Andersen, President of EMA. “But more, he has fearlessly articulated, as only he can, views that would be considered provocative by many and established himself a leading conservative voice in the nation. In his latest cinematic work, Ben Stein boldly and without equivocation, embraces a free speech stance and a different world view in the discussion of intelligent design versus evolution. He has made a profound impact on free public discourse, and EMA is honored to present him with our Freedom of Expression Award.”

Ben Stein stars as the host of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a documentary which examines the conflict between advocates of intelligent design and evolutionists, and the hostility of the scientific community towards scientists that embrace intelligent design. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, was produced by Premise Media and will be distributed on DVD on October 21, 2008 by Vivendi Entertainment.

“There are very few like Ben Stein, who continues to impact popular culture in a variety of ways, from his broadcast and print work, to his most recent involvement in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,” stated Tom O’Malley, President, Vivendi Entertainment. “His voice is one of the most respected not only in Hollywood, but all over America, and we’re delighted that he is being recognized for all of his insightful and impactful work on this film.”