NEW YORK, May 31: Mr David Laventhol, a distinguished journalist and editorial director of Columbia Journalism Review, has been elected board chairman of the Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ).

He succeeds outgoing chairman, Gene Roberts, a press release issued here on Thursday said.

“I am delighted that David Laventhol is the new chairman of CPJ,” Roberts said.”He is a brilliant journalist and a dedicated advocate of press freedom around the world”.

Laventhol has also served as chairman of Pulitzer Prize board, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

His long-time newspaper career includes serving as publisher and editor of Newsday, and as publisher of Los Angeles Times.

“This is a great honour and responsibility,” Laventhol said. “Now more than ever, journalists around the world look to CPJ for help.”