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January 27, 2000
Markle Foundation Establishes Fellowship Program to Explore Impact of Information Technology on Society
Wall Street Journal's John Simons and writer/commentator David Friedman are named first Markle Fellows

Markle commits nearly $1 million to fellowship program under auspices of The New America Foundation to encourage analysis, publication and cutting-edge thinking from leading young writers

New York, NY -- The Markle Foundation, in conjunction with the New America Foundation, has established the Markle Fellows program designed specifically to support writers addressing issues relating to information technology and society. Today, Zoë Baird, President of the Markle Foundation, announced the appointment of the first two Markle Fellows-John Simons of The Wall Street Journal and writer/commentator David Friedman.

Markle will commit nearly $1 million over the next two years to support four Markle Fellows in the first year and five Fellows in the second year; each Fellow will serve one-year terms. The Markle Fellows are part of the Fellowship program operated by the New America Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan public policy institute based in Washington, DC.

John Simons, who assumed his Fellowship on January 3rd, most recently was the Technology Policy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, writing about the government's broadening role as Internet policy maker, and on the high-tech industry's growing influence on Washington politics. David Friedman, who begins his fellowship on March 1, is an economics writer, commentator and attorney whose work is widely published in national and international publications.

Said Zoë Baird, "We are delighted to be able to create an environment in which the next generation of thought-leaders can do focused thinking, writing and analysis about the pressing issues surrounding information technology and society. We see this as an exciting extension of the work the Markle Foundation is doing to look at ways in which new media and technology can improve people's lives. It is important that, as this new communications environment takes shape, we have a deep examination of the critical issues we will face as a society. David Friedman and John Simons will make a serious contribution in that effort." Ted Halstead, Founder, President and CEO of the New America Foundation, said, "We are delighted that the Markle Foundation is now a partner in our successful Fellowship Program. Their support enables us to appoint several exceptionally talented new Fellows who will focus on a critical set of issues at the intersection of information technology and public policy."

About John Simons

As Technology Policy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Simons wrote breaking news stories and feature articles on the government and the high-tech industry. Other recent topics covered by Simons include Internet taxation, online crime, consumer privacy, and the Web's influence on the 2000 Presidential race. As a Markle Fellow, Simons is focusing on policy issues, the "digital divide," consumer privacy, participation in the political process and issues of jurisdiction between local, state, federal and international regulatory bodies.

Previously, Simons was Senior Editor at U.S. News & World Report. In this role, he developed and wrote articles for the Business and Technology section, covering the Internet as an emerging business and economic environment. Mr. Simons received a B.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and currently lives in Washington, DC.

About David Friedman

As an economics writer, commentator and attorney, David Friedman contributed to the The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, Orange County Business Journal, Japan Times, Forbes, and The American Enterprise, among other publications. In 1998, the California Newspaper Publishers Association honored Friedman as Best Columnist. Friedman is also a regular commentator on Marketplace Radio and National Public Radio. As a Markle Fellow, Friedman will focus on technology as an engine of inequality; the demographic and social consequences of urban policies favoring high-tech investment; and the sustainability of the new economy.

Previously, Friedman was a Senior Executive at Catellus Development Corporation, a publicly traded land development company. Mr. Friedman received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, San Diego, a PhD. in Political Economy from MIT and a J.D. from UCLA. He currently lives in Culver City, California.

About the New America Foundation and its Fellowship Program

The New America Foundation is a non-profit public policy institute whose purpose is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of America's public discourse. The New America Foundation seeks to reshape our public debate by investing in outstanding individuals and ideas that transcend the conventional political spectrum. Based in Washington, DC, the New America Foundation was conceived through the collaborative work of a diverse and inter-generational group of public intellectuals, opinion leaders, and business executives. New America's Board of Directors is chaired by James Fallows, and includes Eric Benhamou (Chairman & CEO, 3Com), Eric Schmidt (Chairman & CEO, Novell, Inc.) and Laura D'Andrea-Tyson (Dean of the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley).

Since its inception in 1999, the New America Foundation's Fellowship Program has worked to train and support a new generation of young public intellectuals by helping them gain exposure for their ideas in the information marketplace. The Fellowship selection process is highly competitive and looks for those rare individuals who are not only exceptional thinkers, but who also have an ability to communicate in ways that gain broad public attention. All Fellows are appointed for a one-year renewable term. More information on the New America Foundation and its fellowship program can be found at www.newamerica.net.

About the Markle Foundation

Established in 1927 as a private not-for-profit philanthropy, the Markle Foundation has focused on communications media for the past 30 years. Following the appointment of Zoë Baird as President in 1998, the Foundation focused its resources on helping ensure that emerging new media and technology improve people's lives and on promoting the development of communications industries that meet public needs.

The Markle Foundation has established four program areas to address these challenges--Policy for a Networked Society, Public Engagement through Interactive Technologies, Interactive Media for Children, and Information Technologies for Better Health. In addition, the Foundation has created an Opportunity Fund.

Markle pursues its goals through a range of activities including analysis, research, public information and development of innovative products and services. Markle creates and operates many of its own projects-using not only grants but also investments and strategic alliances with non-profits and businesses.

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