Overview
- USC Annenberg announced honorees including Rachel Maddow, Scott Pelley, Peter Alexander, Jon Stewart, and Julio Vaqueiro.
- Jon Stewart will receive the inaugural Comedic News and Commentary recognition for his work on The Daily Show.
- The biennial ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
- Attendance is confirmed for Maddow, Pelley, Alexander, and Vaqueiro, with video acceptance messages from Stewart and John Dickerson.
- Judges highlighted winning work that exposed intimidation of law firms, attempts to politicize federal agencies, and an underreported protest movement, underscoring the theme “How a Free Press Defends Democracy.”