The White House Correspondents’ Association is proud to announce that two veteran photojournalists will be honored with the Dunnigan-Payne Prize for Lifetime Career Achievement.
The award will celebrate the careers of Rodney Batten, whose work has spanned nearly five decades at NBC News, and Edward Lewis, who worked for nearly 40 years at C-SPAN and Fox News.
The award, which is granted on special occasions, was approved unanimously by the WHCA board in recognition of two highly valued colleagues on the White House beat.
“Their distinguished service has set a standard for excellence, dedication to their craft and leadership in the press corps,” said Kelly O’Donnell, president of the association. “Their work has delivered directly to the American people decades of images that captured pivotal moments in presidential history from the White House, across the country and around the globe.”
“Rodney and Edward each in their own way consistently demonstrated a deep respect for the office of the presidency and earned the trust of many presidents and White House officials through the years. Their influence extended far beyond their own network teams because of their professionalism, joy on the job and kindness to colleagues. They are beloved and respected.”
The Dunnigan-Payne Prize was created in 2022 to honor the contributions of the first African American women of the White House press corps, Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne, who exhibited persistence, resilience, and tough reporting.
Rodney Batten
In May of 2024, Rodney Batten will reach a remarkable fifty years at NBC News. Tony Capra, Senior Director of Newsgathering at NBC News said, “The President is coming to the briefing room any minute.” When Rodney Batten works with you that is what you hear before anyone else. Rodney knows everyone at the White House and everyone at the White House wants to know Rodney. In all his years covering the White House, he has never missed the shot.”
Edward Lewis
Lewis’s career covered nearly 40 years in television news including 25 years at FOX News and 14 years at CSPAN. Lewis retired in 2023. He was known for being among the first on duty for breaking news and maintaining strong editorial standards. Said former Fox News colleague, Bryan Cole: “One of Ed’s favorite phrases epitomizes his ultimate professionalism when he came to work every day – ‘This is the White House!’’’
Their careers will be saluted at the annual WHCA Dinner in Washington on Saturday April 27.
For more about the WHCA, contact Executive Director Steve Thomma, director@whca.press