Gordon Smith has been bestowed with the NAB Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his long-term service to the NAB as CEO and President.

Previous award winners have included Mary Tyler-Moore, President Ronald Reagan, Edward R Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Oprah Winfrey.

He served as the head of NAB from 2009 to the end of 2021, and in accepting the award, a visibly moved Smith said, “Forgive me. When I think about. This recognition has been given to. Edward on Murrow. Walter Cronkite. Ronald Reagan. I think I don’t deserve this. But then again. I don’t deserve arthritis either.”

 “I thank you for this award, and I accept it not so much for things achieved gone by, but as a reminder that there is still much yet to do. Because the fight for the First Amendment, the fight for broadcasting that serves all the American people without respect of their economics, but with respect to their need to be included in American civil life.

 “I am no longer your CEO, I’m so thankful that in my resume I will include a chapter that “He was once numbered among America’s broadcasters”.