No Better Recipient?

The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism will give its first ever Dean's Medal for Public Service to Daniel Edelman, the founder and chair of "the largest independent public relations firm in the world." The award "honors extraordinary lifetime achievement" by alumni, "for their contributions to society through professional accomplishments and civic involvement." While Daniel Edelman has contributed to many community groups, his firm's questionable work includes NGO "engagement," anti-estate tax front group, Microsoft anti-litigation, and pro-tobacco campaigns.