Two well-known figures in the media sector in the United States, Kathleen Kirby of Wiley Rein LLP and Heidi Raphael of Beasley Media Group, have been elected to The Media Institute‘s Board of Trustees. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit advises on communications policy and the First Amendment and is a long-standing player in U.S. media regulation and public-interest advocacy.
Kirby has been a media lawyer for more than 30 years. She is a partner at Wiley Rein, where she co-chairs the firm’s telecom, media and technology practice and serves on its executive and management committees. She represents major radio and television groups and programming networks on business, transactional and regulatory matters, including cases before the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. regulator overseeing broadcast and communications services.
She is a past president of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has received leadership awards from RTDNA and the Broadcasters Foundation of America. She is also an inductee of the National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame. Kirby is currently a member of the Media Institute’s First Amendment Advisory Council and serves on the steering committee of its Madison Project, which examines media freedom and regulatory trends.
Respected in their fields
Raphael is chief communications officer of Beasley Media Group, one of the largest radio and digital audio groups in the United States. She oversees branding, public relations and internal and external communications strategy for the company’s multi-platform operations.
She has served as co-chair of the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation for the past five years and previously held leadership roles with Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio. Raphael also served on the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board of Directors, is a member of the Florida Association of Broadcasters board and has been recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation of America with its leadership award.
Media Institute president Richard Kaplar said, “We are delighted to have Kathy and Heidi joining our board. Each is highly respected in her field, and their complementary areas of expertise will be a valuable addition to our board and to the Institute.”
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