Benton Foundation Names Former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani President

The Benton Foundation has named former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani to be President of the foundation, effective April 5, 2006. Ms. Tristani said, "The Benton Foundation’s leadership is needed now more than ever to ensure that the public will benefit from the emerging digital communications environment as access, equity, and diversity are under siege by increasing media concentration and commercialization. I look forward to directing the foundation’s efforts to both educate people about their stake in communications policy debates and to advocate for a media environment that ensures communities can produce and have access to diverse and locally responsive media content." According to foundation board chair Charles Benton, "Gloria’s character, experience, and skills reflect the core values of the foundation, and her hiring reaffirms the foundation’s longstanding commitment to education and advocacy on media policy issues."