Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., smiles during a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Cook will face off against U.S. senators leveling accusations the iPhone maker has created a web of offshore entities to avoid paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Newseum on Thursday announced Apple CEO Tim Cook has been named the recipient of the Newseum 2017 Free Expression Award in the Free Speech category.
Cook, who has led Apple since August 2011, will be recognized for his leadership in creating technology that has had a profound impact on how we communicate. Further, he has used his spotlight to take a public stand on major societal issues, including racial equality, privacy, protecting the environment, access to education and LGBT rights. Cook will accept the award during a special event to be held at the Newseum on April 18, 2017.
Cook, who came out as gay in 2014, has spoken out about a number of LGBT issues, such as a North Carolina law that bars transgender people from entering bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities that are not for the same gender as is listed on their birth certificate.
In addition to Cook, U.S. Representative John Lewis, Executive Director of Becket Law Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz, ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent co-anchor Martha Raddatz, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, and Hatch Beauty Chairman Christie Hefner will also all receive awards.
The Newseum, headquartered in Washington, D.C., promotes, explains and defends free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
