Bob Woodward of The Washington Post, Michael Powell of NCTA To Be Honored; NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt To Be Featured Speaker

FOR RELEASE: September 27, 2023

Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-506-8030

Vienna, Va., September 27, 2023 – The long-time publisher of The Washington Post and a veteran Washington advocate for the cable industry will present awards at The Media Institute’s “Free Speech America” Gala on Oct. 19 at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Donald E. Graham, chairman emeritus of Graham Holdings Company (previously The Washington Post Company), will present the Freedom of Speech Award to best-selling author Bob Woodward, associate editor of The Washington Post.

Nilda Gumbs, chief of staff for NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, will present the American Horizon Award to NCTA President and CEO Michael K. Powell, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Donald E. Graham was publisher of The Washington Post newspaper from 1979 to 2000.  He was elected to the board of The Washington Post Company in 1974 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1993 to  May 2023.  He was Chief Executive Officer of the company (now Graham Holdings Company) from 1991 to 2015.

Nilda Gumbs most recently served as NCTA’s Vice President of External Affairs, working with state and local legislators and various intergovernmental groups on policy issues.  She was responsible for the cable industry’s grassroots organizing activities on Capitol Hill and worked with third-party groups on coalition-building efforts.

Bob Woodward has worked at The Washington Post for 50 years and has authored or co-authored 21 books – all national bestsellers.  Michael Powell has headed NCTA since 2011 and, prior to that, ushered in the Digital Age of communications while Chairman of the FCC.

Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, will be the evening’s Featured Speaker.  He served in senior NAB posts including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Government Relations before assuming his current role.

The “Free Speech America” Gala will take place in person at The Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown on Oct. 19.  The master of ceremonies will be former FCC chairman Richard E. Wiley, Chairman of the Board of The Media Institute.  The Gala will be the Institute’s signature event marking Free Speech Week, Oct. 16-22.

The Freedom of Speech Award recognizes an individual who has worked to advance free speech, a free press, and the First Amendment.  The American Horizon Award recognizes an individual for visionary leadership in the communications industry.

Information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits can be found on The Media Institute’s website at https://www.mediainstitute.org/2023-free-speech-america-gala-sponsor-reservation/.

The Media Institute is a nonprofit foundation specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment.  Visit the Institute online at www.mediainstitute.org.

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