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2026 PMJA Recognition Awards

2026 Honorees

Congratulations to this year's recipients

Three journalists recognized for excellence, leadership, and lasting contributions to public media.

Public Media New Voices Award
Sylvia Goodman

Sylvia Goodman

Capitol Reporter · Kentucky Public Radio / Louisville Public Media

In her first year covering the Kentucky Capitol, Goodman broke international news, earned appearances on NPR's biggest shows, and built a reputation for covering politics with both rigor and heart. She is only the second journalist to receive this national honor.

Read Sylvia's Story →
Editor of the Year
Elaine Clark

Elaine Clark

News Director · KUER, Salt Lake City

When 2025 brought international news events to Utah, Clark led KUER's coverage with precision, integrity, and a staff-first approach her team called unwavering. Her combination of sharp editorial judgment and genuine generosity defines what this award is for.

Read Elaine's Story →
Leo C. Lee Award
Kathy Merritt

Kathy Merritt

Merritt Strategies · Formerly Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Over a career spanning WFAE, WAMU, and CPB, Merritt championed collaborative journalism before it had a name, channeling more than $50 million into local newsrooms across the country and developing some of public media's most impactful leaders in the process.

Read Kathy's Story →
Annual Awards Competition winners announced June 15 Recognizing excellence in public media journalism across all levels and formats.
Annual Awards →

Why Recognition Matters

Honoring journalists honors journalism

These awards do more than celebrate individuals. They affirm what public media is for.

Celebrate exceptional work

By naming what excellence looks like, these awards give the whole field something to aim for.

Strengthen public media

Highlighting the impact of individual journalists affirms the vital role stations play in their communities.

Promote diversity and inclusion

Recognizing journalists from across career stages, regions, and backgrounds enriches the field's story.

Foster peer connection

Recognition ripples through the community in ways that outlast any single ceremony.

The Awards

Three honors. Three kinds of excellence.

Early Career
Public Media New Voices Award For exceptional early-career journalists making a significant impact in public media. Recipients must have five years or less of paid journalism experience.
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Leadership & Vision
Editor of the Year Recognizes an individual who has excelled in their own work and fostered a culture of journalistic integrity and collaboration within their station.
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Industry Advancement
Leo C. Lee Award PMJA's highest individual honor, recognizing extraordinary contributions to public media journalism over a career.
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All Levels
Annual Awards Competition Open to public media journalists and news organizations of all levels. Winners announced June 15, 2026.
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Virtual ceremony this summer

All three individual award winners will be honored at a virtual event. Details to follow.

Visit the Awards Page