Michael Freedman, veteran broadcast journalist, executive and educator, and currently a Journalist in Residence at University of Maryland Global Campus, has been elected president of the National Press Club, the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. Freedman will be inaugurated on January 18 and begin serving a one-year term in the position. In two years leading up to the election, Freedman served as the Club’s treasurer and vice president.

In his acceptance speech last Friday evening, Freedman said: “At the National Press Club we protect press freedom, we protect reporters around the world, and today, we must also protect the reputation of journalism.” He also recognized the challenges that journalism faces in the digital age: “Today we live in a digital world…one in which we have more information at our fingertips than perhaps even [legendary journalist] Ed Murrow could have imagined. At the same time, readers, listeners and viewers on all platforms are asking: ‘Who do you trust?’ The National Press Club is an indispensable platform to educate, inspire, empower and protect. I ask tonight that we join together over the next year to use it to those ends.”

Read the full National Press Club announcement HERE.