The academy noted Walters’ long career at ABC and NBC in selecting her for the award.
“Barbara’s career is a remarkable one, with few in broadcast journalism coming close to matching it,” NATAS president Frank Radice said.
Walters first came to prominence during her 15-year run on NBC’s “Today” show. She later became the first female co-anchor for a network newscast when she joined ABC in 1976. In her long career for ABC, she served as anchor for “20/20” and as host and executive producer of her popular “Barbara Waters Specials” which often air on Oscar night. Walters is now exec producer and co-host of ABC’s “The View.”
She’s well known for her interviewing style and interviews such noted pop culture newsmakers in all fields, including entertainment and politics including Michael Jackson, Bette Davis, Richard Nixon, Lawrence Olivier, Katharine Hepburn and Fidel Castro. The award will be presented Sept. 21 at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York.