Barbara Wall

Barbara Wall is the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees at the American Press Institute (API), having taken on this role in October 2023. She has a distinguished career in media law and local journalism, bringing over 30 years of experience from her tenure at Gannett Co., where she retired in 2020 as Chief Legal and Operating Officer. During her time at Gannett, she was instrumental in navigating complex legal issues related to the First Amendment and media operations.123

Professional Background::

• Gannett Co.: Wall served in various roles for three decades, culminating in her position as Chief Legal and Operating Officer. She played a critical role during Gannett's merger with New Media Investment Corp. in 2019, subsequently joining the board of the combined entity.24
• Legal Expertise: Wall has extensive knowledge of First Amendment rights and has been recognized for her contributions to media law. She has held leadership positions within the American Bar Association, including chairing its Forum on Communications Law and founding the Women in Communications Law initiative.25

Awards and Recognition:: Wall has received several accolades for her work, including:

• The Press Freedom Award from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in 2012.
• The Champion of the First Amendment award from the American Bar Association in 2020.
• The William J. Brennan Defense of Freedom Award from the Media Law Resource Center in 2021, making her the first woman to receive this honor.125

Current Roles:: In addition to her chairmanship at API, Wall serves on the boards of several organizations, including The Freedom Forum and the News Media Alliance. Her leadership is expected to guide API in supporting local journalism and enhancing civic discourse.13

Wall holds degrees from the University of Virginia’s College and Law School and has taught media law at both American University and George Washington University.25