USC Annenberg Dean Ernest J. Wilson III was elected chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting board by unanimous acclamation of the board on Sept. 16, saying in his acceptance speech that “the stars are aligned as perhaps they have not been since 1967” to re-imagine the future of CPB.
“Then, as now, we need to go beyond the present and re-imagine, re-invigorate and expand our inherited vision,” said Dean Wilson, whose responsibilities as USC Annenberg Dean will not change.
Wilson, the longest-serving member of the CPB board, replaces past chairman Chris Boskin, who remains a member of the board. Dean Wilson is an international communication scholar with a focus on the convergence of communication and information technology, public policy and the public interest. He is the first African-American to hold the position of board chair.
“Like Chris, my watchword will be close consultation, inclusiveness and transparency, consultation with my fellow board members, the excellent CPB staff, and with the system as a whole,” Dean Wilson said.
CPB is a private, non-profit corporation created by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 that promotes public telecommunications services (television, radio, and online) for the American people. Wilson was first appointed to the CPB board by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and re-appointed by President George W. Bush in 2004. During his tenure on the CPB Board, he has chaired the Digital Media Committee and helped launch and chair the Public Awareness Committee.
“The greatest opportunity is that we have truly arrived at a 1967 moment – a moment like the one that happened 40-plus years ago when public broadcasting was first created,” Dean Wilson said.
Factors he cited are a budget increase from Congress, positive discussions with private foundations, interest from local stations, partnerships with national institutions such as NPR and PBS, interest from the White House, and support from both the public and private sector.
“The greatest challenge we face is neither money nor governance – the challenge is that we collectively will fail to seize this unique opportunity to become better than we are, to better serve the American people,” he said. “If there is a common thread to the conversations I have had with all the stakeholders, it is their expectation – indeed their hope and respectful insistence – that we forge a common vision for the future.”
Wilson added that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as a whole is prepared to be a strong partner and a consultative and collaborative leader as it creates a communications future worthy of the American people.
“With the stars fully aligned, we can actually achieve our common goals by re-committing ourselves to accept nothing less than success, because the stakes are so high,” he said. “It is imperative that we pursue and achieve our grand common purpose. And it is truly a grand common purpose. There is probably nothing more noble and grand than to succeed in seizing the tremendous opportunities for public service media in the digital age, and to provide our fellow citizens with the fruits of non-commercial media, which they so richly deserve.”
Serving on the CPB board can help advance the visibility of USC and its Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
"It demonstrates once again Annenberg's commitment to public service and information in the public interest," he said. "These are two vitally important priorities of this School."
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Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Q-and-A with Dean Wilson
