The Radio Television Digital News Association has awarded the 2023 Paul White Award to ABC News chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas.
The award — the highest honor bestowed by the RTDNA — is named after the first news director for CBS News and recognizes “an individual’s lifetime contributions to electronic journalism”.
“Pierre is a remarkable journalist who has been holding power to account for decades. His unflinching interviews, nuanced reporting on systemic issues affecting underrepresented communities,” said ABC News President Kim Godwin in a statement, “and his unvarnished investigations uncovering hidden truths have contributed tremendously to the profession and audiences around the world. I am so incredibly proud of him for earning this distinguished honor.”
“Pierre is a brilliant journalist whose tremendous work has helped Americans understand the most important stories of the past generation. We are proud to honor him,” added RTDNA nominating committee chair Allison McGinley.
Past recipients of the award include Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, Tedd Koppel, and the 2022 winner Judy Woodruff.
It is not the first major award won by Thomas. He took home the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award in 2015 from the RTDNA. He was also named the NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2012.
Thomas will be honored at an awards ceremony and reception on Friday, September 22nd at RTDNA23 in Minneapolis.
