Hilary Rosen

Hilary Rosen, who was once chief of the Recording Industry Association of American, has been named political director and Washington editor at large of the Huffington Post, according to a press release. "I'm delighted to welcome Hilary to the team," Arianna Huffington is quoted as saying. "With her experience in the power corridors of Washington, D.C., and her extensive network of contacts, Hilary will be a driving force in taking HuffPost's political coverage to the next level." Ms. Rosen is touted for her connections and knowledge of Washington politics; she is not a journalist.

Ms. Rosen's name has been synonymous with record labels' struggles with so-called digital piracy. When she stepped down from the RIAA in 2003, CNet's John Borland wrote, "Hilary Rosen has presided over a transformation of the organization that has matched the turmoil of the music industry since her ascension in 1998. Once a trade organization little known outside music and policy circles, the RIAA has become a household word known for its vigorous prosecution of online piracy, and its role as the nemesis of file-swapping services from Napster to Kazaa."  read more »