Each year The Media Society makes this award to a person or institution, judged to have made an outstanding long-term contribution to the profession of journalism.
Geraldine Sharpe-Newton, president of The Media Society, said, “As editor reporter and publisher, Sir Harry won numerous legal actions in Britain and Europe, ensuring reforms of the law relating to contempt and government secrecy. We are delighted that Sir Harry, now Editor at Large for Thomson Reuters and one of the founders of the Media Society, has agreed to mark our 40th year. As a champion of the democratic process he has been constantly vigilant in the defense of a free and responsible press and has effectively set the standard, against which, all others are now measured”.
Sir Harry responded… “As Private Eye might say, ‘sh-surely shome mishtake’”
The Media Society Awards are now in their 19th year. The first recipient was the late Alistair Cooke. Other winners were Sir David Attenborough, Paul Dacre, David Dimbleby, Sir David Frost, John Humphrys, Dame Ann Leslie, Jenni Murray, Sir Michael Parkinson, Jeremy Paxman, Reuters, Gillian Reynolds, Jon Snow, Melvyn Bragg, Sir Charles Wheeler, Michael Grade, and last year's winners Guardian’s editor Alan Rusbridger and Nick Davies.
The celebratory awards dinner will be held on October 23 at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair.
About The Media Society
The Media Society says: “The Media Society is a charity established in 1973. Its purpose is to generate debate and interest in contemporary media issues, and as a consequence, promote knowledge and provide education for all professions operating within the media sphere. The Society aims to involve members of the public in a continuing debate on the role of mass communication in a democratic society.
Our members include both senior figures and those at the beginning of their careers, including students. They come from all parts of the media – newspapers, television, radio, new media, public relations, advertising, law, academia, business, and other creative professions.
The Society awards an annual bursary to an outstanding student of journalism at the annual dinner.”
