Contact:
Tania Panczyk-Collins
202 654-4222
tpanczyk@apts.org
Public Television Stations to Honor Leader in Advocacy on Behalf of Public Broadcasting
WASHINGTON—February 6, 2008—The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) will present Jeanne Hopkins with the APTS National Advocacy Award for her exceptional efforts in furthering Public Television’s legislative goals.
Hopkins, vice president of communications and government affairs for WGBH, Boston, will be presented with the Advocacy Award on February 11th during APTS Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C. The Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or station that exemplifies effective advocacy on behalf of Public Television’s legislative priorities. Although APTS exists to represent local stations in Washington, DC, advocacy is a collective responsibility—and local advocates have great influence on lawmakers.
“Jeanne is one of the most effective legislative advocates in Public Broadcasting or any other industry,” said APTS President and CEO John Lawson. “She’s especially savvy at combining communications with governmental outreach. APTS relies upon Jeanne time and again to advance our agenda at the national level.”
Hopkins has been an irreplaceable partner in Public Television’s advocacy efforts. She worked closely with the office of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, to ensure that Public Television’s comprehensive education initiative was incorporated into various federal education reauthorization bills. Throughout the year, Hopkins helped shape the debate on digital television issues affecting public broadcasters. Working with the staff for Representative Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, she directed the DTV focus on public broadcasters’ need for further consumer education and examination of satellite carriage.
“Jeanne is incredibly effective because she has developed close working relationships with all the key legislative staff members in our delegation,” said Vice Chair of WGBH Henry Becton. “They know they can trust her to understand the issues and always to advocate for the public interest. For them Jeanne personifies the high trust the public holds for our system. We're truly fortunate Jeanne is so passionate about the mission of public media and works tirelessly to further our goals.”
WGBH General Manager Jonathan Abbott agreed: “She is an articulate, thoughtful and trusted advocate for the indispensable contributions of Public Broadcasting to America's citizens, children, families and educators. She has championed the impact both of WGBH in our community and the extraordinary accomplishments of public stations across the country. Our legislators know that in Jeanne we have a remarkable voice for education and public media.”
Hopkins joined WGBH in 1989 as director of media relations. In 1991, she helped create and oversee WGBH’s government relations initiatives, serving as the liaison between WGBH and the federal legislature. Prior to joining WGBH, Hopkins spent 10 years in university relations at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
