Washington, December 10, 2001 –Patrick D. Maines, president of The Media Institute, announced today that Patrick Butler of the Washington Post Company, Michael Regan of News Corporation, and Anne Wexler of the Wexler Group have been elected to The Media Institute’s Board of Trustees.

       Butler is vice president of the Washington Post Company, and is responsible for the company’s public policy, new business development, and special corporate projects. He is also president of Newsweek Productions, Inc., which produces HealthWeek on PBS, as well as a number of documentaries. Butler has previously held positions with Times Mirror and RCA, and was president of his own communications consulting firm. He has also held a number of positions in government service. Butler graduated from the University of Tennessee and also earned a master’s degree from American University.

       Regan has been senior vice president of government affairs at News Corporation since March of this year. He oversees all public policy issues that affect News Corp., and directs the company’s legislative and regulatory activities. Regan is also responsible for the operations of the law firm that represents News Corp. in Washington, D.C. with relation to government affairs, trade organizations, and other legislative matters. Prior to arriving at News Corp., Regan had been a senior vice president at NextWave Telecom, Inc. He also has served as the telecommunications counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Commerce Committee. Regan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and holds a law degree from the University of Virginia.

       Wexler is chairman of the executive committee of the Wexler Group, and founded the firm’s predecessor – Wexler, Reynolds, Fuller, Harrison, and Schule, Inc. – in 1981. Her firm specializes in strategic development lobbying, coalition development and management, communications, and grassroots activities. Before founding her firm, Wexler had been Assistant to President Carter for Public Liaison, and also served as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce. She was also a senior advisor for the Clinton/Gore transition team. Wexler received her bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, and holds honorary doctorate degrees from Skidmore and from Bryant College.