‘Free Speech America’ Gala
The “Free Speech America” Gala is an Institute event held every fall that presents two awards to deserving individuals. The American Horizon Award recognizes leadership in promoting the vitality and independence of American media and communications. The Freedom of Speech Award recognizes an individual who has made important contributions to the advancement and protection of free speech. Here is a look at recent Galas….
2023
American Horizon Award
Michael Powell
Presented by Nilda Gumbs
Michael Powell
Presented by Nilda Gumbs
Freedom of Speech Award
Bob Woodward
Presented by Donald E. Graham
Bob Woodward
Presented by Donald E. Graham
Guest Speaker
Curtis LeGeyt
Curtis LeGeyt
2022
American Horizon Award
Ken Burns
Presented by Patrick Butler
Ken Burns
Presented by Patrick Butler
Freedom of Speech Award
Lester Holt
Presented by Harry Smith
Lester Holt
Presented by Harry Smith
Guest Speaker
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington
2021
American Horizon Award
William E. Kennard
Presented by Randall Stephenson
William E. Kennard
Presented by Randall Stephenson
Freedom of Speech Award
Norah O’Donnell
Presented by Gayle King
Norah O’Donnell
Presented by Gayle King
Guest Speaker
Senator Gordon Smith
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Senator Gordon Smith
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
2020
American Horizon Award
David L. Cohen
Presented by Cesar Conde
David L. Cohen
Presented by Cesar Conde
Freedom of Speech Award
Mignon Clyburn
Presented by Rep. G. K. Butterfield
Mignon Clyburn
Presented by Rep. G. K. Butterfield
Guest Speaker
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr
2019
American Horizon Award
Caroline Beasley
Presented by Senator Gordon Smith
Caroline Beasley
Presented by Senator Gordon Smith
Freedom of Speech Award
Frederick J. Ryan, Jr.
Presented by Pamela Brown
Frederick J. Ryan, Jr.
Presented by Pamela Brown
Guest Speaker
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
2018
American Horizon Award
Cathy Hughes
Presented by Dr. Wayne Frederick
Cathy Hughes
Presented by Dr. Wayne Frederick
Freedom of Speech Award
Chris Wallace
Presented by Brit Hume
Chris Wallace
Presented by Brit Hume
Guest Speaker
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly
2017
American Horizon Award
David Lougee
Presented by Senator Gordon Smith
David Lougee
Presented by Senator Gordon Smith
Freedom of Speech Award
Jeffrey Herbst, Ph.D.
Presented by George B. Irish
Jeffrey Herbst, Ph.D.
Presented by George B. Irish
Guest Speaker
Rep. Marsha Blackburn
Rep. Marsha Blackburn
2016
American Horizon Award
Perry A. Sook
Presented by Adonis Hoffman
Perry A. Sook
Presented by Adonis Hoffman
Freedom of Speech Award
Ajit V. Pai
Presented by Robert McDowell
Ajit V. Pai
Presented by Robert McDowell
Guest Speaker
Patricia de Stacy Harrison
Patricia de Stacy Harrison
2015
American Horizon Award
Meredith Attwell Baker
Presented by Larry Irving
Meredith Attwell Baker
Presented by Larry Irving
Freedom of Speech Award
Peggy Noonan
Presented by Bob Woodward
Peggy Noonan
Presented by Bob Woodward
Guest Speaker
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
2014
American Horizon Award
Gracia C. Martore
Presented by Gary B. Pruitt
Gracia C. Martore
Presented by Gary B. Pruitt
Freedom of Speech Award
Senator Chris Dodd
Presented by Carl Hulse
Senator Chris Dodd
Presented by Carl Hulse
Guest Speaker
Commissioner Ajit Pai
Commissioner Ajit Pai
2013
American Horizon Award
Senator Gordon Smith
Presented by Rep. Greg Walden
Senator Gordon Smith
Presented by Rep. Greg Walden
Freedom of Speech Award
Josh Sapan
Presented by Brian Lamb
Josh Sapan
Presented by Brian Lamb
Guest Speaker
Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn
Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn
2012
American Horizon Award
John Riccitiello
Presented by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
John Riccitiello
Presented by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
Freedom of Speech Award
Bob Pittman
Presented by Senator Roger F. Wicker
Bob Pittman
Presented by Senator Roger F. Wicker
Guest Speaker
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel
2011
American Horizon Award
Randall Stephenson
Presented by Ben Jealous
Randall Stephenson
Presented by Ben Jealous
Freedom of Speech Award
Robert M. McDowell
Presented by Rod Smolla
Robert M. McDowell
Presented by Rod Smolla
Guest Speaker
Senator Mark Warner
Senator Mark Warner
2010
American Horizon Award
Rupert Murdoch
Presented by Joel I. Klein
Rupert Murdoch
Presented by Joel I. Klein
Freedom of Speech Award
Kyle E. McSlarrow
Presented by Decker Anstrom
Kyle E. McSlarrow
Presented by Decker Anstrom
Guest Speaker
Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker
Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker