Every year since 1977, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has recognized outstanding contributions to public radio by presenting the Edward R. Murrow Award. This award honors individuals whose work has fostered the growth, quality, and positive image of public radio.
During three decades in broadcasting as reporter, producer, executive, and government official, Murrow was an outspoken advocate for responsible, courageous, and imaginative use of the electronic media. These principles apply particularly to public radio and to those who have helped shape its direction.
Murrow Award winners' contributions or achievements may have occurred over many years or during a short period of time and include any facet of public radio. Individuals need not be professionals in public radio but should be active in promoting this unique informational and cultural resource.
2011
Lourdes Garcia-Navarro
Foreign Correspondent, NPR
» Press release
2010
Nina Totenberg
Legal Affairs Correspondent, NPR
» Press release
2009
Ira Glass
Host and Executive Producer, This American Life
» Press release
2008
Laura R. Walker
President and Chief Executive Officer, WNYC New York
» Press release
2007
Dave Isay
President, Sound Portraits Productions
» Press release
2006
Kevin Klose
President and chief executive officer, NPR
» Kevin Klose's Acceptance Remarks
» Press release
2005
Wayne C. Roth
General Manager, KUOW Seattle
» Press release
2004
Anne Garrels
National Public Radio Foreign Correspondent
» Press release
2003
Terry Gross
Host of Fresh Air with Terry Gross
» Press release
2002
Peter J. Loewenstein
Vice president for distribution, National Public Radio
» Press release
2001
Richard H. Madden
Vice president, radio, CPB
» Press release
2000
Jane Christo
General manager, The WBUR Group
» Press release
1999
Hugo Morales
Founder and executive director, Radio Bilingue, Inc.
» Press release
1998
Jack W. Mitchell
Former head of Wisconsin Public Radio
» Press release
1997
William E. Buzenberg
Former National Public Radio news vice president
» Press release
1996
Jay Allison
Independent producer
1995
Lynn Chadwick
President of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters
1994
Tom Church
President of the Radio Research Consortium
David Giovannoni
President of Audience Research Analysis
1993
Douglas J. Bennet
Former president of National Public Radio
1992
Kenneth N. Dayton
Founding chairman of American Public Radio
1991
E. Wayne Bundy
Executive director of the Rocky Mountain Corporation for Public Broadcasting
1990
Cokie Roberts
National Public Radio congressional correspondent
1989
Leo C. Lee
Founder and president of Western Public Radio
1988
Joe N. Gwathmey
Former vice president of programming for National Public Radio
1987
Thomas J. Thomas and Theresa R. Clifford
Founders of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters
1986
William H. Siemering
Creator of All Things Considered
1985
Garrison Keillor
Creator and host of A Prairie Home Companion
1984
Bob Edwards
Host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition
1983
Samuel C.O. Holt
Former senior vice president of programming at National Public Radio
1982
Ronald C. Bornstein
Former National Public Radio board member and former CPB vice president for telecommunications
1981
William H. Kling
President and founder of Minnesota Public Radio
1980
Susan Stamberg
Co-host of National Public Radio's All Things Considered
1979
Albert L. Hulsen
First CPB director of radio activities and creator of On the Way Home, forerunner of All Things Considered
1978
Donald R. Quayle
First president of National Public Radio, former CPB senior vice president of broadcasting
1977
Burton D. Harrison
Public radio pioneer and former manager, KWSU-AM
