News Releases

RTDNF to Honor Barbara Cochran, Marcellus Alexander and the NABEF during First Amendment Awards Dinner

Contact:  Ryan Murphy, 202-495-8730 or ryanm@rtdna.org

For Immediate Release:  November 23, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF) will honor RTDNA President Emeritus Barbara Cochran, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation President Marcellus Alexander and the NABEF and at the 20th Anniversary First Amendment Awards Dinner. The Dinner will be March 4, 2010, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington. More than 500 attend the black-tie dinner each year.

Alexander, NABEF and Cochran will join a prestigious list of news leaders expected to be honored that evening. Other honorees include Harvey Nagler, vice president of CBS Radio News, who will receive First Amendment Service Award; David Westin, president of ABC News, who will receive the First Amendment Leadership Award; and Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, who will receive the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award.

Alexander serves as President of NABEF, in addition to his duties at NAB as executive vice-president for television. He has also served in a variety of station management positions, including vice-president and general manager of WJZ-TV in Baltimore. Alexander also served one tenure as station manager and another as VP and GM at KYW-TV in Philadelphia.

"Throughout his career both as a station executive and leader at NAB and NABEF, Marcellus Alexander has exemplified public service and community commitment at the highest level," said RTDNF Chairman Edward Esposito. "Marcellus and NABEF have been great friends and true partners to the needs of electronic journalists and RTDNA."

Cochran retired in 2009 after 12 years at the helm of RTDNA. Her career includes service as vice-president and Washington bureau chief for CBS; executive producer for NBC's Meet the Press; vice-president of news for National Public Radio and managing editor of the Washington Star. She continues to work on behalf of RTDNA and RTDNF on Freedom of Information and First Amendment as president-emeritus of the organizations.

"Barbara Cochran continues to serve as a legendary advocate for journalism and is a strong voice on behalf of the First Amendment," said Esposito. "Barbara's counsel and guidance to our profession serves as an inspiration and beacon."

For information on attending the First Amendment Awards Dinner, visit RTDNF.org or contact Stacey Staniak, 202-467-5214. If you are interested in attending the Awards Dinner, please click here.

Funds raised at the dinner help support RTDNF’s work to promote excellence in electronic journalism through research, education and training for news professionals and journalism students. The foundation’s work is also supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, members of the Radio Television Digital News Association, and other individuals.

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