FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty To Deliver Keynote Remarks at Oct. 29 Event

FOR RELEASE: October 28, 2025

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

Vienna, Va., Oct. 28, 2025 – The Media Institute will honor technology industry leader and First Amendment advocate Gary Shapiro and former Verizon chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg at its annual “Free Speech America” Gala on Oct. 29.

Gary Shapiro will receive the Freedom of Speech Award, which will be presented by Sam Feist, CEO of C-SPAN. Hans Vestberg will receive the American Horizon Award, to be presented by Tad Brown, CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty will be the evening’s Featured Speaker. Media Institute Board Chairnan Richard E. Wiley will serve as master of ceremonies. The event will take place at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Gary Shapiro is an acclaimed author and speaker, and is CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association, representing more than 1,200 consumer technology companies. A passionate First Amendment advocate, he has defended free speech in numerous interviews, articles, and speaking appearances at The Media Institute and elsewhere.

Hans Vestberg is the architect of Verizon’s pioneering 5G network strategy, part of his strategic vision to create the connections that matter most to Verizon customers, including the latest artificial intelligence applications. Under Mr. Vestberg’s visionary industry leadership, Verizon has made transformational investments in spectrum to ensure a vibrant future.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty joined the Commission in June 2025. She brings a wealth of Capitol Hill experience in media and telecom policy, having served on both the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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 can be found on The Media Institute’s website at https://www.mediainstitute.org/2025-free-speech-america-gala/.

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

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