Fox News’ Chris Wallace to be honored by the Poynter Institute

ST. PETERSBURG — Veteran Fox News journalist Chris Wallace will be honored by the Poynter Institute with its Medal of Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.

Given annually, the award honors “those whose journalism careers have made a significant impact on democracy and its institutions.”

Poynter President Neil Brown said, “We are honored to celebrate the outstanding career of Chris Wallace and the incredible vitality and honesty of his journalism. Chris' record of balanced reporting across the years makes him among the most respected journalists in America today, even in these strikingly polarized times.”

Wallace, 72, hosts Fox News Sunday at the network where he has worked since 2003 after long tenures at NBC and ABC News. He will moderate the first presidential debate of 2020, scheduled for Tuesday.

The Poynter medal is a feature of the annual Bowtie Ball gala in St. Petersburg, but this year a special online celebration is planned after the election. Past honorees include Katie Couric, Lester Holt, Judy Woodruff, Tom Brokaw and Bob Schieffer.

“The Poynter Institute has been promoting and teaching solid journalism for almost half a century," Wallace said in a statement. "At a time when traditional standards of fairness and accuracy are being questioned — both in and outside the industry — Poynter is a keeper of the flame for our profession. I am proud to receive the Poynter Medal. My only quibble is about ‘Lifetime Achievement.’ I am just getting started.”