WASHINGTON—The RTDNA Foundation has announced that it will recognize 12 outstanding individuals and organizations at the 2026 First Amendment Awards, celebrating their efforts to promote responsible journalism and preserve the constitutionally guaranteed rights to do so.

All honorees will be recognized March 12 at the 35th annual First Amendment Awards at The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. They will join more than 150 past recipients who stood for the values of the First Amendment.

“At a time when the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment are challenged on every front, the journalists, organizations and individuals we honor today stand as powerful examples of courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to the free flow of information,” said RTDNA Foundation president Tara Puckey. “Their work informs, supports and strengthens our communities, and it definitely protects the core principles that make a free press essential to democracy. We are proud to shine a spotlight on these champions of press freedom and to celebrate their vital contributions.”

Past honorees include local reporters, network anchors, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and multiple U.S. Senators. The awards honor the First Amendment and the bold and brave efforts many take — whether in an instant or throughout their careers — to protect it.

"Exposing wrongs and telling the truth, no matter the consequence, is core to our job as journalists,” said RTDNA Foundation chair Sheryl Worsley. “Sadly, we are seeing more retribution both professionally and personally against those who uncover corruption and bring it into the sunlight. We honor those who have paid a high price while standing up for the First Amendment by raising awareness in their communities."

In addition to recognizing responsible journalism, the First Amendment Awards is the Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser, enabling the Foundation to ensure the broadcast and digital news profession remains a critical part of our nation’s free press for generations to come and supporting scholarships for journalism students.

This year, those 12 scholarship and fellowship recipients will be recognized at the Watergate Hotel during the First Amendment Awards.

The 2026 First Amendment Award winners are:

• Juju Chang, ABC News. The RTDNA Foundation chose to honor Chang because she has distinguished herself as one of the most compelling storytellers, known for her bold reporting and ability to bring humanity and depth to complex issues. Over a lifetime in journalism — from newswriting to anchoring Nightline — she has demonstrated a commitment to long-form, thorough reporting that elevates the public consciousness in increasingly challenging times.
• Vladimir Duthiers, CBS News. The RTDNA Foundation selected Duthiers, now a featured host of CBS Mornings, for his tireless work covering some of the most difficult topics of our time. A veteran foreign correspondent whose longtime career includes award-winning coverage of crises — from natural disasters to terrorism — Duthiers continues to embody journalistic courage and a commitment to telling stories that would not be heard without his microphone.
• Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum. The RTDNA Foundation is honoring Goldberg, vice president at the Freedom Forum, for his tireless work defending and promoting free expression, press freedom and open access to information — values at the heart of the First Amendment. Through advocacy, public engagement and support for journalism innovation, he helps safeguard a diverse and independent media environment.
• Jennifer Griffin, Fox News. The RTDNA Foundation selected Griffin for her trusted and tenacious reporting covering the Pentagon. She joined dozens of colleagues in boycotting the Pentagon’s new press-access rules, standing firmly for transparency and the public’s right to know. Her principled resistance reflects a career spent holding power to account and defending the essential role of an independent press in national security reporting.
• Tom Llamas, NBC News. The RTDNA Foundation chose Llamas, now anchor of NBC Nightly News, for his commitment to carrying forward the strong legacy of NBC’s flagship newscast while expanding its reach to younger and wider audiences. Llamas is the first individual to serve as the solo anchor of both an evening broadcast program and a one-hour primetime streaming newscast, showing a dedication to innovation and to meeting the evolving needs of today’s viewers.
• NPR and PBS News. The RTDNA Foundation selected NPR and PBS News for their perseverance after politicians demeaned them and Congress cut their federal funding. NPR and PBS News continue to provide free, independent journalism to millions of Americans — especially in regions underserved by commercial media — sustaining the tradition of public-interest reporting rooted in First Amendment values. Their enduring commitment to in-depth news, cultural programming, and civic-minded content reflects the vital role of public media.
• Bill Owens, (former) 60 Minutes. The RTDNA Foundation selected Bill Owens, just the third person to run 60 Minutes in its 57-year history, for his principled stand in defense of journalism. Owens resigned as executive producer in April, citing a loss of his editorial independence. Owens worked at CBS News for 37 years and left after President Trump filed a lawsuit against the network and the show on dubious grounds. Owens’ career exemplifies the kind of rigorous, high-impact journalism that sustains public trust and defends the First Amendment’s promise of a free press.
• Manu Raju, CNN. The RTDNA Foundation is honoring Raju, CNN’s Chief Congressional Correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics Sunday, for his dogged, behind-the-scenes political coverage, reinforcing the critical watchdog mission of the press. Raju’s fearless reporting has earned praise from colleagues and criticism from both sides of the aisle, a testament to his steady presence informing the public about Capitol Hill’s most consequential developments.
• Jim Rodenbush, (former) Indiana Daily Student. The RTDNA Foundation selected Rodenbush, former director of student media at the Indiana Daily Student, for his bold and brave stand, refusing a directive from university administrators to censor his students’ right to cover news freely. His termination shortly afterward — and the university’s subsequent decision to suspend the print edition — spotlighted the fragile state of student press freedom and rallied national support for editorial independence.
• Vitus “V” Spehar, Under the Desk News. The RTDNA Foundation chose V Spehar to recognize how Under the Desk News delivers clear, accessible and often under-reported stories from a distinctive “under the desk” perspective. V’s innovative approach has opened new pathways for civic engagement, particularly among younger viewers who may feel disconnected from traditional media. By blending authenticity and creativity, V has expanded the reach of trustworthy journalism in the digital age.
• Citation of Courage is being given to Asal Rezaei, CBS News Chicago. The RTDNA Foundation is honoring Asal Rezaei, a general-assignment reporter for CBS News Chicago, with the Citation of Courage. Rezaei has repeatedly risked her personal safety to shed light on stories of public importance, most recently when she was shot at with a pepper ball at an immigration-detention facility. Her willingness to stand her ground and continue reporting — despite physical danger — exemplifies the bravery and resilience of a free press committed to informing the public, even under threat.
• Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Steve Bertrand, (ret.) WGN Radio. The RTDNA Foundation is celebrating Steve Bertrand with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor designated contributions to local news. Bertrand has been a trusted voice on WGN Radio for four decades, anchoring news since 1992 and earning the confidence of generations of Chicago listeners. Over his career, he covered many of the most significant local and national events of the past 40 years while mentoring colleagues and helping define the standard for excellence in local radio journalism. His retirement in 2025 marks the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to informing the public and strengthening the role of local news.

More information on attending the awards is available here.

WASHINGTON—The Radio Television Digital News Foundation has unveiled its list of seven winners for the 30th annual First Amendment Awards. The First Amendment Awards honor the role that journalists play in local and national media promoting the First Amendment.

Winning the 2020 Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award is ABC News’ David Muir. The Leonard Zeidenberg Award, named after the late Broadcasting & Cable senior correspondent, is presented to a radio or TV journalist or news executive who made a major contribution to the protection of First Amendment freedoms. Muir, in his role as ABC World News Tonight anchor, offers dispatches from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Beirut and other global hotspots.

The simply named First Amendment Award, which recognizes an outstanding individual or organization that champions the First Amendment and press freedoms, went to CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” On air for 52 seasons, “60 Minutes” is known for shedding light on important subjects and holding its subject accountable, per RTDNF.

Robert Horner of NBC News was the honoree for the First Amendment Service Award, given to a professional in local or network news that works off-air, behind the scenes. Horner is the creator and was president for 27 years of NBC News Channel, a feed service for local NBC affiliates and NBC’s international partners.

The First Amendment Leadership Award was won by Barbara Maushard, the senior vice president of news at Hearst Television. The Leadership Award is presented to a business, government or other leader that contributed to the freedom of the press.

Recognizing a journalist that went to extreme lengths to provide meaning and context to a complicated news story or issue of extreme importance, the 2020 First Amendment Clarity Award was presented to Lori Montenegro, the Washington Bureau Chief of Telemundo.

Earning the First Amendment Defender Award for taking a public stand in support of press freedom was Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)

Lastly, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognized Steve Andrews, senior investigative reporter from WFLA-TV in Tampa, Fla. His career has spanned 35 years, covering stories that in many cases have helped change laws.

“This year’s honorees are a mix of local and network journalists that provide illuminating reporting, a respected national news program which holds the powerful accountable and a visionary who defends the public’s right to know,” said Jerry Walsh, RTDNF chairman and vice president of local content development at Nexstar Broadcasting.

All of the winners will receive their awards at the First Amendment Awards Dinner & Show on March 5 in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.firstamendmentawards.org. 

WASHINGTON—The Radio-Television Digital News Foundation has named its 2018 First Amendment Award winners at a time when journalists are under siege from the President.

“We are experiencing an unprecedented number of attacks to our integrity and role in society,” says Dan Shelley, executive director of RTDNA/RTDNF, adding: “Showcasing and celebrating responsible journalism matters more than ever.”

The awards will be given out March 8 at a dinner in Washington, where the current assault on journalists from the White House will likely get plenty of attention in the acceptance speeches. The pair have been a target of the President, but RTDNF says its awards “are shining a light on individuals and news organizations who seek and report the truth ethically and responsibly.”

NBC's “Meet the Press,” moderated by NBC Political News Director Chuck Todd, will get the First Amendment Award for “outstanding individual or organization.”

Jot Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, of MSNBC's “Morning Joe,” will receive the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award, which goes to a journalist or news executive who has made a “major contribution to the protection of First Amendment freedoms.” The award is named for the late B&C senior correspondent.

David Rhodes, president of CBS News, will receive the First Amendment Service Award for those in a primarily off-air or management capacity.

Gretchen Carlson, the famously former Fox News anchor, gets the First Amendment Leadership Award for significant contributions to freedom of the press.

Robin Roberts, co-anchor of “Good Morning America,” will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

This story first appeared on TVT's sister publication B&C. 

WASHINGTON—Recipients of the Radio Television Digital News Foundation’s 2017 First Amendment Awards have been announced. Of five honorees, three have strong radio connections.

Vice President and General Manager of ABC News Radio Steve Jones will receive the First Amendment Service Award for his management and behind-the-scenes work at the network. Under his leadership, the organization said, ABC News Radio has received more than a dozen Edward R. Murrow Awards, 10 International Radio Festival Awards, five National Headliner Awards and three New York Festivals Awards. Jones joined ABC Radio in 1986 as a writer and editor and previously led ABCNews.com before taking his current leadership role.

Hubbard Broadcasting’s CEO Stanley Hubbard will be awarded the First Amendment Leadership Award for his significant contribution to the protection of the First Amendment and freedom of the press, RTDNF said. Hubbard oversaw the building of the first successful UHF television station in a VHF market and helped create, along with others in Hubbard Broadcasting, the world’s first satellite news gathering organization, Conus Communications.

NPR News’ legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg will take home the RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award. Totenberg was instrumental in leading NPR News to receiving a Peabody Award for the coverage she anchored of Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court confirmation hearings and for her exclusive interview with Anita Hill. This RTDNF award will be adding to many accolades she has received including honors like the Joan S. Barone Award for excellence in Washington-based national affairs and public policy reporting and the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. Totenberg joined NPR in 1975.

Also being honored: Bill Whitaker of CBS News will be honored with the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award for his contributions to protecting press freedoms through his journalism career as a television broadcaster. Whitaker has worked in local television news with WBTV-TV in Charlotte, VA and KQED-TV in San Francisco, has worked for “CBS Sunday Morning” where he won an Emmy Award for his reports on the collapse of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s television ministry and has taken up posts in several CBS News bureaus across the globe. Today he is a correspondent for CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

Taking the honor for The RTDNF’s First Amendment Award is Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, co-managing editors of Bloomberg Politics and hosts of the news analysis show “With All Due Respect,” which airs on Bloomberg TV. The pair are also the creators of the Showtime weekly political documentary series “The Circus” and have co-authored two New York Times bestsellers “Game Change” and “Double Down.” Halperin has served as editor-at-large and senior political analyst for TIME. Heilemann previously was the national affairs editor for New York magazine and NYMag.com. 

The awards ceremony will be held in March at the Grand Hyatt in Washington.

CINCINNATI—The Radio Television Digital News Foundation has announced the honorees for the 2016 First Amendment Awards, the 26th annual ceremony that honors those who show dedication to First Amendment rights.

“Supporting and defending the First Amendment requires bravery, integrity and perseverance,” said Amy Tardiff, chair of RTDNF. “Our honorees have demonstrated their commitment to press freedom, and their words and actions inspire us to follow their lead.”

Here is the full list of honorees:

• First Amendment Award: Jason Rezaian, Washington Post
• Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award: Cami McCormick, CBS News
• First Amendment Service Award: Robert Garcia, National Public Radio
• First Amendment Leadership Award: Rich Boehne, E.W. Scripps Company
• First Amendment Defender Award: Tim Tai, University of Missouri
• RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Brokaw, NBC News

The event also plans to honor journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward, who were killed during the Roanoke shooting in August.

The awards will be presented on March 16 at the Grant Hyatt in Washington D.C.