Katie Couric, host of CBS Evening News, will emcee the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications-sponsored Mirror Awards in New York City on June 10.

The Mirror Awards were established by Newhouse in 2006 to honor journalists who report on issues relating to the media. It is an unusual event because it is the only awards ceremony that honors the media for reporting on the media, said Jean Brooks, director of special events for Newhouse.

In addition to hosting the CBS Evening News, Couric anchors specials on CBS News and is a correspondent for ’60 Minutes.’ Previous emcees for the event include Meredith Vieira, Contessa Brewer and Margaret Carlson. Lorraine Branham, dean of Newhouse, will host the event at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Couric has all of the important qualities that make a good emcee, said Robert Thompson, a trustee professor in public communications and previous judge for the awards. He said she is someone who reflects the Mirror Awards’ mission. Couric’s position, anchor of the third-most-watched evening news program, will allow her to bring a degree of seriousness to the table, he said.

‘If Katie Couric can’t do it, I don’t know who can,’ he said. ‘And at the same time, the added bonus is she can be really, really amusing.’

There are seven award categories in the Mirror Awards, including best single article, best profile and best commentary, three of which are for both traditional and digital media. The award for best in-depth piece is offered only in the traditional media category. The Fred Dressler Achievement Award and the i-3 award, which focus on impact, innovation and influence, will also be awarded this year as special awards, according to the Mirror Awards’ Web site.

Journalists and journalism educators are included in the judging panel for the awards, Brooks said. Journalists from The Associated Press, National Public Radio and the Poynter Institute have served on the judging panel in the past. Current Newhouse professors and Newhouse alumni who live in New York City will make up a portion of the panel as well.

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on February 17, 2010 at 12:00 pm