FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly To Deliver Keynote Address

FOR RELEASE: Oct. 23, 2018

Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-243-5700

Arlington, Va., October 23, 2018 – The Media Institute will bestow awards on journalist Chris Wallace, host of “FOX News Sunday,” and Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One, Inc., at its annual “Free Speech America” Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The event will take place at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Wallace will receive the Freedom of Speech Award for his distinguished career in broadcast journalism, embodying the values of free speech and free press. Presenting the award will be journalist and commentator Brit Hume of FOX News.

Hughes will receive the American Horizon Award for her visionary industry leadership, growing a single AM radio station into a multi-media conglomerate. The award will be presented by Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, president of Howard University in Washington, D.C.

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly will deliver keynote remarks. He has been a commissioner since 2013 and is currently serving his second term. Commissioner O’Rielly brings 20 years of Capitol Hill experience to the Commission, having served in policy and legislative staff positions in the U.S. Senate and House.

The master of ceremonies will be communications attorney and former FCC chairman Richard E. Wiley of Wiley Rein LLP.

In 2014, Chris Wallace marked his 50th year in the broadcasting industry. Wallace joined FOX News Channel (FNC) in 2003 after 14 years at ABC News. Throughout his career at FNC, Wallace has participated in coverage of nearly every major political event.

Cathy Hughes is the founder of Radio One, which became Urban One in 2017. As the nation’s largest African-American multi-media conglomerate and market leader, Urban One generates original content across radio, television, and digital media.

The Media Institute is a nonprofit research foundation specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment. For more information, visit the Institute online at mediainstitute.org.

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