Judy Woodruff honored with Inaugural Peabody Award for Journalistic Integrity

Arlington, VA (June 10, 2021) — Peabody today announced that PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff has won the first ever Peabody Award for Journalistic Integrity. The award honors the sustained achievement of the highest professional standards of journalism, as well as personal integrity in reporting the news in challenging times.

“Judy Woodruff’s trailblazing career is a testament to many things,” said Jane Fonda, who presented Woodruff with the award this morning via video (linked HERE). “To the fierce strength of a woman in a male dominated field, to the professional craft of writing and reporting, and to our collective experience of American history and politics, but above all, Judy Woodruff is a testament to the discipline of telling the truth to the public.

Jeffrey Jones, executive director of Peabody added, “Given the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, the Peabody Board of Jurors felt it important to honor an individual who has dedicated her life to reporting at the highest caliber with integrity no matter the challenges. After half a century of stellar reporting on everything from the Reagan White House to the Iraq War, no one deserves this award more than the esteemed Judy Woodruff. She is a trailblazer for women journalists and a role model for journalists committed to illuminating the truth at any cost.”

Peabody also offered notable commendation to Journalism Crews for their service to the public in 2020 amongst unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, one of the largest movements of equality following the death of George Floyd, and the 2020 presidential election. The 30 winners of the 81st annual Peabody Awards will be named during a multi-day virtual celebration from June 21 through June 24. PBS NewsHour is nominated for two 2021 Peabody Awards, for global and economic coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as reporting on the desperate journey faced by migrants along the Darien Gap.

Press Contact: Ella Richardson, erichardson (at) newshour (dot) org