The award is for "commitment to excellence that exemplifies the career of Edward R. Murrow." It may be for Lifetime Achievement or Distinguished Achievement, on a case-by-case basis.
Honorees
1997, Sam Donaldson, for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting
1998, Frank Blethen, for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
1998, Walter Cronkite, for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting
1998, Moriyoshi Saito, for International and Intercultural Communication
1999, Al Neuharth, for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
1999, Keith Jackson, for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting
2000, Ted Turner, for Lifetime Achievement in Communications
2001, Bernard Shaw, for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting
2002, Sir Howard Stringer, for International and Intercultural Communication