By Ryan G. Murphy, Digital Media Editor



RTDNA President Emeritus Barbara Cochran was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the D.C. Pro Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists Tuesday night with a formidable cast of journalism personalities.

Cochran was honored along with Westwood One radio host Jim Bohannon, Washingtonian Magazine Editor-at-Large, Jack Limpert and former Newsweek magazine Washington Bureau Chief Mel Elfin at the D.C. Pro Chapter’s annual Dateline Awards dinner.

“I’m very honored to be included with this group in the SPJ Hall of Fame,” Cochran said in an interview with RTDNA prior to the induction. “It has been a privilege to represent so many electronic journalists in their battles for First Amendment rights.”

Cochran became president of RTDNA and RTDNF in 1997 and continues to be a leading advocate for First Amendment rights. Throughout her career she has been at the forefront of the major issues facing electronic journalists, including fighting for cameras and microphones in state and federal courtrooms, protecting journalists’ access in post-9/11 America, opposing government secrecy and battling intrusive regulation of news content.

An industry insider, Cochran worked as a journalist and news executive in Washington, DC, for 28 years, 11 in print and 17 in broadcasting.

Before joining RTDNA, she worked as the VP and Washington Bureau Chief for CBS News, Executive Producer for NBC’s “Meet the Press,” VP of news for National Public Radio and Managing Editor of the Washington Star.

Highly decorated for her efforts on behalf of electronic journalism, Cochran is an active member of several professional organizations. She has a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.

"We are not surprised", said RTDNA Chairman Mark Kraham, "Barbara is certainly worthy of this recognition, and she is truly hall of fame material. We wish to extend hearty congratulations to her on receiving this honor."