Media Veteran Patrick Butler To Deliver Keynote Remarks at Event Tonight

FOR RELEASE: October 27,2026

Contact: Michael O’Rielly
The Media Institute
202-412-3892

McLean, Va., October 27, 2026 – The Media Institute will honor Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth and FOX Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy at its annual “Free Speech America” Gala tonight, Oct. 27.

Jan Neuharth will receive the Freedom of Speech Award, which will be presented by Barbara Wall, Trustee and Secretary of Freedom Forum. Jack Abernethy will receive the American Horizon Award, to be presented by political strategist and commentator Mo Elleithee.
Patrick Butler, who is The Media Institute’s James Madison Fellow, will be the evening’s Featured Speaker. WTOP News Anchor Shawn Anderson will serve as master of ceremonies. The event will take place at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Under Jan Neuharth’s leadership, Freedom Forum has built on its longstanding leadership in press freedom and First Amendment education, expanding its work to make the five freedoms meaningful in the lives of Americans. She has championed new ways to bring the First Amendment to life and meet people where they are – such as launching Freely Fest, a First Amendment music festival.
Since 2004, Jack Abernethy has overseen FOX Corporation’s 29 owned-and-operated stations in some of the nation’s largest television markets. The FOX stations are industry leaders in locally produced programming, which has more than doubled under his leadership to more than 1,500 hours of locally produced news per week – more than any other owned-and-operated broadcast group.
Longtime media executive Patrick Butler will serve as the event’s Featured Speaker. As the Institute’s James Madison Fellow, he specializes in First Amendment initiatives. Most recently he was President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations. His career in the public sector included serving as a speechwriter for President Gerald R. Ford.
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/2026-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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