By Kevin McCauley
Cooper to Edit National Journal Daily
Matt Cooper is the new editor of National Journal Daily and charged with giving Washington leaders precisely what they need to know about Congress to succeed, according to Ron Fournier, editor-in-chief of the National Journal Group.
Cooper joined the National Journal in September as managing editor of its White House coverage.
Formerly, he was White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report and deputy D.C. bureau chief for Newsweek and Time.
NBCU's Khanna to MGM
Roma Khanna, who was president of Universal Network’s international and digital initiatives, is the new president of MGM’s TV and digital group.
She is to oversee sales, production, licensing, acquisitions and content creation, as well as opportunity for MGM’s 4,100 title-plus film library.
At NBCU, Khanna was responsible for more than 70 TV properties including Syfy Universal, Hallmark Channel and Diva Universal.
She reports to Co-chairman and CEOs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum.
WNET Takes Over N.J. Public TV
WNET, New York City’s public TV station, is assuming operation of the New Jersey Network, a move by Governor Chris Christie to get the Garden State out of the broadcasting business.
A new WNET subsidiary called New Jersey Public Media will be formed to develop a newscast dedicated to events in the state. There will be coverage of Trenton and a Sunday public affairs program.
WNET says it will create partnerships with media, cultural institutions and community groups throughout New Jersey to provide local color.
NJN currently employs 120 staffers, who will lose their jobs under the deal. WNET sees the need for about 20 people to produce the newcast.
Christie is also selling four state-owned radio licenses to New York Public Radio and five others to Philadelphia public outlet, WHYY.
PBS Names Kaplan Ombudsman
Joel Kaplan, dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, is the new ombudsman for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He takes over for Ken Bode whose term expired in December.
Kaplan says he looks forward to improving transparency, encouraging greater objectivity/balance and making sure that CPB is responsive to comments and questions for the public.
Before joining Syracuse University, Kaplan was an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune and The Tennessean of Nashville.
Patricia Harrison is CEO of CPB.
Begala to Beast
Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist with close tie with the Clintons, is to write for Newsweek and Daily Beast as the key 2012 political year nears.
He promises that his column is going to “inform, agitate and analyze.”
Beck to Charge Viewers
Glenn Beck will adopt a subscription model for his GBTV Internet operation as he departs from Fox News on June 30.
He plans to launch a two-hour “Glenn Beck” show to run after Labor Day in the 5 p.m. slot that he had on Fox.
GBTV plans to charge $4.95 a month to watch the Glenn Beck program. Full access to the site is to go for $9.95 a month.
Ellwood Tapped for USA Today GM Slot
Susie Ellwood, who was running the Detroit Media Partnership, has been named executive VP and GM of Gannett’s USA Today.
She reports to publisher David Hunke, who called Ellwood “a proven leader with tremendous industry experience and insights” that will be put to good use as USAT is transformed into a “world class, multi-media company.”
Ellwood takes charge of editorial and business operations. Hunke oversees USA Weekend, USA Today Sports Media Group and the Detroit Media Partnership that manages the business functions of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News.
Joyce Jenereaux succeeds Ellwood in Detroit. She joined the Partnership in 1990 as a financial analyst. She served as controller, VP and senior VP-finance before rising to the top spot.
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