Brown to speak about press, politics

Aaron Brown, former CNN anchor and the Walter Cronkite Professor of Journalism at Arizona State University, will give this year’s Goldwater Lecture, offering his insights on press coverage and the 2008 presidential campaign.

The annual lecture, sponsored by the Arizona Historical Foundation and the Cronkite School, will be held Jan. 30 at the Virginia Piper Auditorium College of Medicine in downtown Phoenix. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Brown’s topic is “The Press and Politics in the 2008 Campaign,” a subject he is uniquely qualified to discuss. As news anchor of CNN’s flagship show, “NewsNight” from 2001 to 2005 and previously as a news anchor for ABC, Brown has covered most of the major political developments and breaking news stories of the past two decades.

Earlier this year, Brown joined the Cronkite School, where he teaches “Turning Points in Television News History” to aspiring young journalists.

Former U.S. Sen. Barry M. Goldwater started the lecture series in his name more than 25 years ago. Each year lecturers speak on topics related to political, legal or business history, reflecting the Arizona Historical Foundation’s policy priorities. Last year’s lecture series brought together seven of the state’s most historically significant elected leaders, including former Congressman J.D. Hayworth and former Gov. Fife Symington.

Brown’s lecture will be from 6-7 p.m. at the Virginia Piper Auditorium, 600 E. Van Buren. It will be preceded by a reception at 5:15 p.m.

Seating is limited, so reservations are requested by calling the Arizona Historical Foundation at 480.965.3283.