Reporters Committee to celebrate 40th Anniversary with gala dinner

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a gala dinner and silent auction in New York on May 25, 2010.

60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft will host the event, which will include the presentation of First Amendment Awards to Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl and noted media lawyer Kurt Wimmer of Covington & Burling LLP.

Wall Street Journal Publisher Les Hinton has served as chairman of the event, which thus far has raised more than a half million dollars. Distinguished attendees at the dinner will include Reporters Committee co-founders Ben Bradlee, vice president at-large at the Washington Post, and Fred Graham of InSession.  Bradlee will present the First Amendment Award to Woodward and Bernstein.

The Reporters Committee is an Arlington, Va.-based non-profit organization that provides legal defense and advocacy assistance for journalists working in the United States. Over 40 years it has helped thousands of reporters quash subpoenas seeking information about confidential sources, secured pro bono legal counsel for reporters facing libel accusations, and helped reporters navigate a host of state and federal open government laws.

The 40th Anniversary Gala will be held at Cipriani Wall Street. For ticket information, contact Tracey Doolin at tdoolin@inezevents.com.