The Media Society is to honour The Guardian's editor Alan Rusbridger and reporter Nick Davies with its 2012 award for their phone hacking revelations.
They will receive the award at a 24 May dinner, which will feature speeches from former Times and Sunday Times editor Harry Evans, Financial Times editor Lionel Barber, Observer columnist Henry Porter and Labour MP Tom Watson.
In announcing the award, the Media Society said The Guardian's coverage of the hacking story had "not only brought an issue of great importance to the attention of the public, but led to a major debate about the practices and role of our press."
It said of Davies that he had "demonstrated the highest qualities of persistence in his following of the biggest media stories in recent years" and that "his concern for the health and future of his craft is manifest."
Of Rusbridger, the society said: "He has consistently defended journalism's role as holding power to account."
The event, to be held at London's Corinthia hotel, will also feature a tribute to David Walter, president of the Media Society, who died on 29 March. He worked as a news correspondent for the BBC, ITN and Channel 4.
Geraldine Sharpe-Newton, now the society's acting president, said: "This night will both honour the outstanding work of a great newspaper as well as pay tribute to the memory of a fine journalist."
Source: Media Society Tickets: £95 for members and £125 for non-members. Further information and bookings: sam_keegan@hotmail.com
