The National Press Foundation created the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award to honor persons who have, through their vision and leadership, strengthened American journalism and furthered the efforts to establish quality in American journalism. The award is presented at the annual Awards Dinner.

During more than 50 years of reporting writing, editing and publishing, Willard M. Kiplinger, right, maintained the highest standards of journalistic integrity, performance and dedication to his profession. While never taking his eyes off the importance of service to readers, he staunchly supported the right of reporters to exercise their independent judgment on political and economic affairs. That ethical approach was met with commercial success: Starting with the Kiplinger Letter in 1923, Kiplinger Washington Editors now publishes five newsletters, Kiplinger Magazine, books on economics and an online news delivery service. Mr. Kiplinger, who was born in 1891 and died in 1967, continually asserted that, "A good reporter is the Noblest work of God." In 2002 the Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award was named in honor of his professional integrity and professional accomplishments.
Applications are not accepted for this award.
 

Winners

• Frank Deford

  NPR, HBO, Sports Illustrated

  2012
• 
  Lucy Dalglish

  Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

  2011
• 
  Gilbert M. Grosvenor

  National Geographic Society

  2010
• 
  Bill Kovach

  Committee of Concerned Journalists

  2009
• 
  Linda Johnson Rice

  Johnson Publishing Company

  2008
• 
  Thomas L. Friedman

  The New York Times

  2007
• 
  Art Buchwald

  New York Herald Tribune

  2006
• 
  Jack Germond

  Baltimore Sun

  2005
• 
  Seymour Hersh

  The New Yorker

  2004
• 
  Benjamin C. Bradlee

  The Washington Post

  2003
• Eugene Patterson

  St. Petersburg Times

  2002
• Katharine Graham

  The Washington Post

  2001
• Helen Thomas

  Hearst Newspapers

  2000
• Allen H. Neuharth

  The Freedom Forum

  1999
• Herb Block

  The Washington Post

  1998
• Carl Rowan

  Chicago Sun-Times and King Features

  1997
• Ann Landers

  Chicago Tribune/Creators Syndicate Abigail Van Buren, Universal Press Syndicate

  1996
• William Safire

  New York Times

  1995
• Nat Hentoff

  Village Voice

  1994
• Elliot Jaspin

  Cox Newspapers Philip Meyer, University of North Carolina

  1993
• David Broder

  Washington Post

  1992
• Richard M. Schmidt, Jr., Esq.

  Cohn & Marks

  1991
• John Siegenthaler

  Nashville Tennessean

  1990
• Robert Maynard and Nancy Maynard

  Oakland Tribune

  1989
• Eugene L. Roberts

  Philadelphia Inquirer

  1988
• A. M. Rosenthal

  New York Times

  1987
• John H. Johnson

  Johnson Publishing Company

  1986
• Donald Larrabee

  Griffin-Larrabee News Bureau

  1985
• Theodore A. Burtis

  CEO, Sun Company

  1984
• Leo Bernstein

  Financier

  1983