The Media Law Resource Center (MLRC) announced that Barbara Wall is the recipient of this year’s William J. Brennan, Jr. Defense of Freedom Award for “her inspirational leadership in defending a free press, her exceptional strategic and practical skills as a First Amendment lawyer, and her steadfast promotion and support of women in the media bar.” Barbara will be the first woman to win the Brennan Award singularly. MLRC will honor Wall at its Annual Dinner on November 10.
Barbara, who is a member of the News Media Alliance Board of Directors, was named Gannett’s Chief Legal Officer in 2015 and also served as interim chief operating officer in 2019. She had served as the company’s Vice President & Senior Associate General Counsel since 2009 and joined the legal staff of Gannett in 1985. She has written and lectured on the First Amendment and has taught communications law at George Washington and American Universities. Before joining Gannett, she practiced law with Satterlee & Stephens. In 2012, she received the First Amendment Award from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
Members of the News/Media Alliance staff have contributed to this post.
