Robert Costa, CBS News, to accept National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award
Robert Costa, a national correspondent for “CBS Sunday Morning” and chief Washington analyst for CBS News, will accept the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award during a gala in his honor on Dec. 9 in Washington. The award recognizes journalists who have made significant contributions to the field and, according to the Club, is its most esteemed prize.
Costa’s work at “Sunday Morning” includes coverage of national politics, in-depth interviews with newsmakers, and features on culture, literature and the arts. As chief Washington analyst for CBS News, Costa offers reporting and analysis across CBS News programs.
“The Fourth Estate Award is the National Press Club’s highest honor in journalism, reserved for those whose work has changed the way the public understands power and democracy. Robert Costa has done exactly that,” said Mike Balsamo, National Press Club president. “Through fearless reporting, unmatched sourcing, and sharp analysis, he has become one of the defining political journalists of his generation.”
Costa was named a national correspondent for “Sunday Morning” in February 2025 following three years of contributions to the broadcast, including an exclusive sit-down in the White House residence with President Joe Biden in August 2024. It was Biden’s first interview after he announced his decision to not seek reelection. Costa and colleagues at “Sunday Morning” won an Emmy Award in 2023 for Outstanding Recorded News Program and the show remains the No. 1 Sunday morning program in viewers going on 22 consecutive seasons.
“I truly appreciate the Club’s recognition of journalism that has been collaborative at every turn, from my work in print to my current endeavors at CBS News and ‘Sunday Morning.’ I accept the award with gratitude for colleagues at news organizations, past and present, who have lifted me as a reporter and taught me lifelong lessons,” Costa said.
The Fourth Estate is the top honor bestowed on a journalist by the National Press Club Board of Governors. Previous winners includeChristiane Amanpour, Dean Baquet, Marty Baron, Wolf Blitzer, Tom Brokaw, Walter Cronkite, Lester Holt, Gwen Ifill, Andrea Mitchell, Clarissa Ward, Kristen Welker and Susan Zirinsky.
Costa previously served as chief election and campaign correspondent for CBS News. In that role, he focused on coverage of both Republicans and Democrats, with numerous scoops and exclusives during the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. He has also been a regular guest anchor on the CBS Television Network programs “CBS Evening News,” “CBS Weekend News” and “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
“His coverage has informed millions, shaped national conversations at critical moments, and set a standard for rigorous, fact-based independent reporting,” Balsamo said. “By honoring Robert, we recognize not only his extraordinary contributions but also the indispensable role of journalism in strengthening our democracy.”
This year’s Fourth Estate Gala will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program starting at 7 p.m. at the National Press Club. The gala is a fundraiser for the Club’s nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. The Institute provides training that equips thousands of journalists across the United States with skills and standards to inform the public, provides career support for journalists, and provides scholarships to aspiring journalists.
The evening also will honor the recipients of the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Awards and Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism. Honorees for the Aubuchon and Sheehan awards will be announced at a later date.
