CCLP is pleased to welcome Wendy McMahon, former President and CEO of CBS News, Stations and CBS Media Ventures (2021–2025), as its newest Senior Fellow. McMahon is an industry leader when it comes to modernizing legacy institutions, expanding local journalism and supporting journalistic integrity. “We are delighted to welcome Wendy McMahon to CCLP where she…Continue Reading Wendy McMahon, former president of CBS News, joins CCLP as a Senior Fellow
News
CCLP and USC Partners Welcome Inaugural Cohort of African Senior Fellows in Global Health Communication Leadership
Los Angeles and Washington, DC, September 29, 2025— The USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy (CCLP) at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health (IIGH), and the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of USC are proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Senior Fellows in Global Health Communication Leadership. Four senior fellows from Ethiopia,…Continue Reading CCLP and USC Partners Welcome Inaugural Cohort of African Senior Fellows in Global Health Communication Leadership
On NPR’s “Here & Now,” CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan explains the impact of VOA’s shutdown
Since the Trump administration dismantled the Voice of America (VOA) earlier this spring, charging VOA with “waste, fraud and abuse,” CCLP director Geoffrey Cowan has been challenging that claim in arguing that the government should continue to fund international broadcasting. Cowan was the 22nd director of VOA under the Clinton administration. In a segment with…Continue Reading On NPR’s “Here & Now,” CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan explains the impact of VOA’s shutdown
WSJ, LA Times give favorable review of CCLP Senior Fellow Todd Purdum’s new book, “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television”
In “The Rise and Fall of Desilu,” The Wall Street Journal reviewed CCLP Senior Fellow Todd Purdum’s new book, “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television,” which is about Ricky Ricardo-playing actor Desi Arnaz and his immigrant upbringing, tumultuous relationship with Lucille Ball, and visionary career in television production. Seen in the May 24 print…Continue Reading WSJ, LA Times give favorable review of CCLP Senior Fellow Todd Purdum’s new book, “Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television”
CCLP welcomes Adam Symson, president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, to the CCLP Advisory Board
The USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy (CCLP) is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Symson, president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, to the CCLP Advisory Board. Symson is a passionate supporter of freedom of the press who serves on the board of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the…Continue Reading CCLP welcomes Adam Symson, president and CEO of The E.W. Scripps Company, to the CCLP Advisory Board
CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan joins “The Court of History” podcast to discuss the dismantling of VOA
On the May 19 episode of “The Court of History” podcast with Guardian Columnist Sidney Blumenthal and Princeton University historian Sean Wilentz, CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan discussed the impact of the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle or eliminate the Voice of America (VOA), which has been reaching about 350 million regular listeners around the world…Continue Reading CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan joins “The Court of History” podcast to discuss the dismantling of VOA
“America Is Having a Showboater Moment,” CCLP Senior Fellow Jill Leovy writes in The Atlantic
Jill Leovy, a CCLP senior fellow and author of Ghettoside, published an op-ed in the Atlantic interrogating the Trump administration’s “tough on crime” talk. Her op-ed, “America Is Having A Showboater Moment,” came out on May 15, 2025. Leovy argues that the Trump administration plays up the dangers of gang members while neglecting the work…Continue Reading “America Is Having a Showboater Moment,” CCLP Senior Fellow Jill Leovy writes in The Atlantic
Honoring civil discourse, CCLP Advisory Board Member David Dreier presented annual Civility Awards to U.S. Governors Spencer Cox and Jared Polis
David Dreier, a CCLP Advisory Board Member, recently honored U.S. governors Spencer Cox and Jared Polis with Civility Awards at The Dreier RoundTable (DRt) in Claremont McKenna College. Launched by Dreier, the award honors public servants who engage in conversations with a polarizing clash of ideas while understanding that their political opponent is not their…Continue Reading Honoring civil discourse, CCLP Advisory Board Member David Dreier presented annual Civility Awards to U.S. Governors Spencer Cox and Jared Polis
Sewell Chan, former Texas Tribune and Los Angeles Times editor, to join USC Annenberg as Senior Fellow
Sewell Chan, who has held senior editing roles at the Columbia Journalism Review, The Texas Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, will join the USC Annenberg Center for Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP) as a Senior Fellow, focusing on the fight for press freedom in the US and abroad. Chan was…Continue Reading Sewell Chan, former Texas Tribune and Los Angeles Times editor, to join USC Annenberg as Senior Fellow
CCLP Senior Fellow Anna Malaika Tubbs talked to People Magazine about her new book “Erased”
Anna Malaika Tubbs, a senior fellow at CCLP, shared in an exclusive with People Magazine that she will publish her book “Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us” on May 20. In “Erased,” Tubbs argues that humanity in the U.S. is tied to a “limited and flawed” gender binary and whiteness. “I wrote this…Continue Reading CCLP Senior Fellow Anna Malaika Tubbs talked to People Magazine about her new book “Erased”