John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award
Named for the founder and first president of RTDNA, the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual's contributions to the journalism profession and freedom of the press. Given since 1959, the award is presented annually at the Radio Television Digital News Association's annual conference.
2026 Recipient: Kristen Welker
Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” and anchor of “Meet the Press NOW,” will receive the 2026 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
“The John F. Hogan Award recognizes individuals whose contributions have left journalism stronger than they found it,” RTDNA Chair Blaise Labbe said. “Kristen has done exactly that through her leadership, service and commitment to the values at the heart of our profession. We are incredibly proud to recognize her impact.”
She became moderator of “Meet the Press” in September 2023, becoming the second woman and first journalist of color to lead the program. Her reporting and analysis appear across NBC News platforms.
2025: Sandy Breland
2024: Andrew Heyward
2023: Boyd Huppert
2022: Richard Engel
2021: Soledad O'Brien
2020: Yamiche Alcindor
2019: John Quiñones
2018: Pete Williams
2017: Jake Tapper
2016: Jeffrey Marks
2015: Pierre Thomas
2014: Harvey Nagler
2013: Belva Davis
2012: Jorge Ramos
2011: Lara Logan
2010: Bob Priddy
2009: Barbara Cochran
2006: Christopher Glenn
2005: Don Fitzpatrick
2000: Stanley S. Hubbard, Jack Shelley
1999: Hugh Downs
1997: Walter Cronkite
1996: Sherlee Barish
1992: Terry Anderson
1991: Brian Lamb, Ed Godfrey, Bob Packwood, John Spain
1989: Gordon Manning, Dick Yoakum
1988: Vernon Stone
1987: Malvin Goode, J. Laurent Scharff
1986: Robert Byrd, Mark Fowler
1985: Ron Laidlaw
1984: Paul Davis
1983: Sig Mickelson
1981: Len Allen
1980: John Salisbury
1979: Rob Downey
1978: Col. Barney Oldfield
1974: Gordon Sinclair
1971: Charlie Edwards
1967: Ted Yates
1964: Robert Kintner
1962: David Sarnoff
1959: Frank Stanton