Russert To Receive Syracuse’s Dressler Award

Lifetime Achievement Award Bestowed On ‘Meet The Press’ Mainstay

By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 3/18/2008 1:27:00 PM

Political journalist Tim Russert will receive the Fred Dressler Lifetime Achievement Award from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications June 23, at the second annual Mirror Awards luncheon, officials said Tuesday.

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.

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 editor-in-chief Peter Bart at a ceremony emceed by Today host Meredith Vieira.

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.