The Press Awards 2026
April 8, 2026
Free Expression Awards 2026
April 8, 2026
The 2026 duPont‑Columbia Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in public‑service audio and video reporting across broadcast, documentary, and digital platforms during an awards ceremony held on January 28, 2026 at The Lee C. Bollinger Forum, Columbia University, New York City. The programme, regarded as among the most prestigious honours in journalism, recognises work demonstrating deep reporting and public impact in fields such as investigative news, documentaries, and multimedia storytelling.
Established in 1942 and administered by Columbia Journalism School, the duPont‑Columbia Awards uphold high journalistic standards and are often referred to as the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, honouring excellence in television, radio, and digital journalism. Winners receive Silver Batons, symbolising distinguished work that has contributed significantly to public understanding and civic life.
The 2026 ceremony featured 15 Silver Baton winners and one Special Citation across a range of topic areas. Coverage recognised included frontline reporting from Ukraine, incisive investigations into traffic safety and medical power imbalances, and documentary work exploring the impact of war and social issues. Major news organisations such as CBS News, NBC News, Bloomberg News, PBS NewsHour, and Business Insider were among the honorees. A Special Citation was awarded to ABC News for its presidential debate broadcast, highlighting its contribution to public political discourse.
Event: 2026 duPont‑Columbia Awards — Honouring Excellence in Broadcast & Digital Journalism
Date: 28 January 2026
Location: Columbia University, New York City, USA
Hosts: Columbia Journalism School
Focus: Outstanding audio, video, and digital reporting in the public interest across news, documentaries, and multimedia platforms.
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