News Releases

CNN’s John Roberts to Emcee RTNDF First Amendment Dinner; Brokaw, Lehrer, Sturm and Westin to Present, Schieffer Band to Perform

February 28, 2008
Updated February 29, 2008 

WASHINGTON--John Roberts, host of CNN’s American Morning, will emcee the 18th annual First Amendment Awards Dinner on March 6 in Washington, presented by the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation.  

Tom Brokaw, special correspondent for NBC News, will present the First Amendment Service Award to Paula Madison, executive vice president for diversity of NBC Universal and General Electric. 

Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, will present the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award to Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation. 

John Sturm, president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America, will present a special First Amendment Award to Richard Wiley, founding partner of Wiley Rein LLP and former FCC Chairman. 

David Westin, president of ABC News and Associated Press board member, will present the First Amendment Leadership Award to Tom Curley, president and chief executive officer of the Associated Press.

There will be a special performance by country music band Honky Tonk Confidential, featuring Bob Schieffer. 

The black-tie event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street NW, Washington. To purchase sponsorships, tables or tickets, contact Allyson McKithen at amckithen@washington-link.com. Media wishing to cover the event should contact Stacey Staniak at 202.467.5214 or staceys@rtnda.org. Information about the First Amendment Awards is available by clicking here.