Library of American Broadcasting Foundation’s Giants Of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts Celebrates Industry Trailblazers

The 2022 Library of American Broadcasting Foundation’s (LABF) Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts took place on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Gotham Hall in New York City.

The annual event, produced for the LABF by the International Radio & Television Society Foundation (IRTS) and hosted by ABC News’ Nightline Co-anchor Juju Chang, celebrated distinguished individuals who have been the creators, innovators, journalists, leaders, performers and producers who have brought the electronic arts to the prominence they occupy in the United States and the world today, and who have set the stage for the future.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Library of American Broadcasting collection located at the University of Maryland and support LABF awards for students and scholarly works about the history of broadcasting and their impact on American society and culture.

“We are absolutely thrilled to honor these exceptional individuals who have made major contributions and blazed trails in broadcasting and beyond,” said LABF Co-chairs Heidi Raphael (Beasley Media Group chief communications officer) and Jack Goodman (broadcast attorney). “Their relentless dedication, passion and leadership serve as an inspiring benchmark for future leaders in our industry for many years to come.”

This year’s honorees:

Deborah A. McDermott, CEO, Standard Media Group

Sean McManus, chairman, CBS Sports

Epatha Merkerson, Emmy, Golden Globe, NAACP and SAG Award-winning actress, Chicago Med, Law & Order

Bob Pittman, chairman-CEO, iHeartMedia

Adam Symson, president-CEO, The E.W. Scripps Co.

Bayard “Bud” Walters, president, Cromwell Media

Pete Williams, justice correspondent (retired), NBC News

Fareed Zakaria, CNN anchor, author and columnist, The Washington Post

Julia Child, TV chef extraordinaire (posthumously)