Carl Stern
J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs

Phone: (202) 994-1464
Fax: (202) 994-5806
E-mail: cstern@gwu.edu
Office: MPA 419

Expertise

Media Law; Rights and Duties of the Press, Government-Media Relations, Justice Department Issues; Federal Freedom of Information Act

Courses Taught

JOUR 122, Broadcast News Reporting
JOUR 150, Media Law
JOUR 153, Covering Court Decisions
SMPA 199, Senior Seminar

Selected Works

Background

Carl Stern joined the SMPA faculty in 1996 as the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs. The 30-year veteran journalist for NBC News and former public affairs director for the U.S. Department of Justice had this to say of his career change, "I think I learned a few things I could teach to aspiring journalists." You bet he has! For 26 years he was NBC's reporting authority on the U.S. Supreme Court and the Justice Department.

Peers from both the journalism and legal professions have recognized Stern's distinguished career accomplishments. Most notable is a Peabody Award he received for radio and meritorious service to broadcasting. (The Peabody is the broadcasting and cable industry's most competitive honor.) In 1975, he won the Emmy Ted Yates Award and in 1974 he received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Network TV Broadcaster and Outstanding Achievement TV News Specials.

Stern's background and experience in media law, Supreme Court decisions, and broadcasting fills a special Washington-based reporting niche within the SMPA curriculum. Guest speakers and visits with decision-makers like Associate Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia and the U.S. Attorney General and Solicitor General are examples of the opportunities he has made available to students.

Stern is a member of the Ohio and District of Columbia Bar Associations.

Education

J.D., Cleveland State University, 1966
J.D., (Honorary) New England School of Law, 1977
J.D., (Honorary) Cleveland State University, 1975
M.S., Journalism, Columbia University, 1959
A.B., Columbia University, 1958