ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (July 28, 2026) — The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism, will honor veteran political journalist Chuck Todd with the 2026 Poynter Make a Mark Leadership Award, recognizing his decades-long impact on political journalism and his role as one of the country’s leading independent voices covering politics, democracy and public affairs.
Poynter will present the award during a special salon event Friday, Oct. 2 in Kansas City.
Following nearly two decades at NBC News, including nine years as moderator of “Meet the Press,” Todd has helped define a new model for political journalism, bringing his reporting, interviews and analysis directly to audiences across independent platforms including “The Chuck ToddCast” podcast and “Sunday Night with Chuck Todd” on Noosphere. Through interviews with policymakers, newsmakers and thought leaders, Todd has continued to foster substantive conversations that cut through the daily political noise and help audiences better understand the issues shaping the country.
Todd also serves as the inaugural scholar-in-residence for the University of Southern California’s Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., where he teaches students about politics, government and the evolving media landscape. A six-time Emmy Award winner, Todd has co-moderated multiple presidential debates and is the author of two books.
During the intimate salon conversation, Todd and Poynter President Neil Brown will explore the future of political journalism, rebuilding public trust in news, the rise of independent media and what it takes for journalism to remain relevant in an increasingly fragmented and polarized information environment. Their discussion will also examine how journalism can continue to strengthen democracy and civic understanding during a period of profound political and technological change.
“Chuck Todd has always been one of the smartest voices in American journalism, from his sharp political analysis and interviews during his years at NBC, to now, reporting on his own terms on independent platforms. He always gives the audience his best,” Brown said.
“At Poynter we seek to celebrate those who make an impact on our field through standout work told in new and innovative ways,” Brown added. “With this award and our Salon Series we seek the insights and candor of distinguished practitioners like Chuck about serving our communities with first-rate journalism. “
Todd joins a distinguished group of Poynter Make a Mark honorees that includes Cleo Abram, Jessica Yellin and Mike Allen, all recognized last year for their leadership and impact across journalism and media. Sarah Longwell, CEO and Publisher of The Bulwark, and Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, will also receive the award during Poynter’s Sept. 9 Salon Series event in New York City.
Since 1975, Poynter has worked to improve the practice of journalism and support the leaders and institutions that help communities stay informed. Through honors such as the Poynter Make a Mark Leadership Award, the institute recognizes individuals whose work is advancing that mission.
Tickets are limited. To learn more about the event or inquire about tickets or sponsorships, visit our Kansas City salon event page. You may also contact Aaron Sharockman, vice president of sales and strategic partnerships, at asharockman@poynter.org.
Media Contact
Jennifer Orsi
Vice President, Publishing and Local News Initiatives
jorsi@poynter.org
About the Poynter Institute
The Poynter Institute is a global nonprofit working to address society’s most pressing issues by teaching journalists and journalism, covering the media and the complexities facing the industry, convening and community building, improving the capacity and sustainability of news organizations and fostering trust and reliability of information. The Institute is the gold standard in journalistic excellence and dedicated to the preservation and advancement of press freedom in democracies worldwide. Through Poynter, journalists, newsrooms, businesses, big tech corporations and citizens convene to find solutions that promote trust and transparency in news and stoke meaningful public discourse. The world’s top journalists and emerging media leaders rely on the Institute to learn new skills, adopt best practices, better serve audiences, scale operations and improve the quality of the universally shared information ecosystem.
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