Tim Russert to receive Fred Dressler Lifetime Achievement Award June 23

Tim Russert to receive Fred Dressler Lifetime Achievement Award June 23March 18, 2008Wendy S. Loughlinwsloughl@syr.edu

Acclaimed political journalist Tim Russert will receive the Fred Dressler Lifetime Achievement Award from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications on Monday, June 23, at the second annual Mirror Awards luncheon. The ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m. in the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City.

The Mirror Awards, established by the Newhouse School in 2006, honor the reporters, editors and teams of writers who hold a mirror to their own industry for the public’s benefit. Honorees are recognized for news judgment and command of craft in reporting, analysis and commentary on developments in the media industry and its role in our economy, culture and democracy. Several juried and special awards are given.

“Tim Russert was chosen to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award because, especially in an election year, there are few more important roles for the media than its role in the political process,” says Newhouse Dean David M. Rubin. “Russert has questioned candidates — and even the practices of his own profession — for over 20 years.”

Russert has served as managing editor and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” since 1991 and has led the show to its current status as the most watched Sunday morning interview program in America and the most quoted news program in the world. He also serves as a political analyst for “NBC Nightly News” and the “Today” show; anchors “The Tim Russert Show,” a weekly interview program on MSNBC; and serves as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief for NBC News. He has interviewed every major figure on the American political scene.

He is author of two bestselling books and the recipient of an Emmy Award, the Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award, the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Joan S. Barone Award, the Annenberg Center’s Walter Cronkite Award, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism, the John Peter Zenger Award, the American Legion Journalism Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism, the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication and the Catholic Academy for Communication’s Gabriel Award. He was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2006.

Named for the late cable programming executive and Newhouse School Advisory Board chair Fred Dressler, the Fred Dressler Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a reporter, editor or publisher who has made distinct, consistent, long-term and unique contributions to the public’s understanding of the media. Last year’s award was presented to “Variety” magazine editor-in-chief Peter Bart at a ceremony emceed by “Today” host Meredith Vieira.

For more information about the Mirror Awards, contact Jean Brooks at (315) 443-5711 or mirror@syr.edu; or see http://mirrorawards.syr.edu.