History

The North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and career-long contributions to the fields of advertising, journalism, media or public relations. Sponsored by the University of North Carolina Hussman School of Journalism and Media, the N.C. Media and Journalism Hall of Fame inducts individuals with deep ties to the state.  

Originally created as the N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame in 1981, the inaugural honorees were Charles Kuralt, C.A. “Pete” McKnight, Vermont Royster, Tom Wicker and Josephus Daniels (posthumously). Recognizing a need to honor the varying industry professions, the school created the N.C. Advertising Hall of Fame and the N.C. Public Relations Hall of Fame in 1988. Charles R. Price was the inaugural honoree for advertising and John Harden (posthumously) for public relations. Up until the mid-2010s, the three Hall of Fames hosted a joint gala in which honorees would be honored in their respective category. In 2015, the N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame inducted notable sportscaster and UNC alumnus Stuart Scott in a tribute ceremony following his death.  

In 2016, the N.C. Halls of Fame in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations was rebranded into the N.C. Media and Journalism Hall of Fame in preparation for the 2017 inaugural event. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual gala was held for 2020/2021 before returning in-person for 2022. Since its creation in 1981, 229 honorees have been inducted in the Hall of Fame.