Cochran named chairwoman of Public Affairs Reporting in J school
After stepping down as president of the Radio Television Digital News Association, Barbara Cochran will serve as the Curtis B. Hurley Chair in Public Affairs Reporting at the School of Journalism.
"She's one of those rare journalists who has been an international leader in both commercial and public broadcast and newspapers," School of Journalism Dean Dean Mills said in a news release. "Even more remarkable, she capped that career by leading one of the most important journalism professional associations through a period of dramatic change in the industry."
Cochran's position will base her out of Washington, D.C. She said the Hurley Chair can explore trends in public affairs journalism by convening experts and connecting the J School's research with the Washington journalism community.
"This position presents a marvelous opportunity to study public affairs journalism at a time of tremendous change," Cochran said. "Digital media are having a profound impact on how policy-makers and journalists communicate with the public."
Cochran holds a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College.
