The Robert F. Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism is a journalism award named after Robert F. Kennedy and awarded by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. The annual awards are issued in several categories and were established in December 1968 by a group of reporters who covered Kennedy's campaigns. Winners are judged by more than 50 journalists each year, led by a committee of six independent journalists. The awards honor reporting "on issues that reflect Robert F. Kennedy's concerns, including human rights, social justice and the power of individual action in the United States and around the world. Entries include insights into the causes, conditions and remedies of injustice and critical analysis of relevant public policies, programs, attitudes and private endeavors." The awards are known as the "poor people's Pulitzers" in media circles.

Recipients

Note: This list of winners is incomplete.

1969–1979

The first awards were presented by Kennedy's widow, Ethel Kennedy. The second annual awards were presented at the Federal City Club in Washington, D.C., with multiple awardees in each category. The third annual awards were presented by Ethel Kennedy during a luncheon ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., which was still under construction. Entertainer Bill Cosby was the master of ceremonies, and Tim Wickers of The New York Times gave the keynote speech. The winners were selected from over 275 entries. No awards were given in the Radio and Magazines categories. The fourth annual awards were presented by Rose Kennedy during a luncheon ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Ralph Nader gave the keynote speech. Eligibility was expanded to include high school entries. The fifth annual awards were presented by Ethel Kennedy with the assistance of her brother-in-law, Senator Edward Kennedy. Harvard psychiatrist Robert Coles gave the keynote address. The awardees were chosen from 418 entries, including 61 high school and 37 college entries. The sixth annual awards were presented by Ethel Kennedy. Frances Farenthold gave the keynote speech. The awardees were selected from 432 entries. The seventh annual awards were presented by Ethel Kennedy and Haynes Johnson. Harry Golden gave the keynote address. The awardees were selected from approximately 300 entries.

1980–1989

1990–1999

2000–2009

The 32nd Annual Awards were awarded in 2000 for coverage in 1999. Award winners were: The 33rd Annual Awards were awarded in 2001 for coverage in 2000. Award winners were: The 34th Annual Awards were awarded in 2002 for coverage in 2001. Award winners were: The 35th Annual Awards were awarded in 2003 for coverage in 2002. Award winners were: The 36th Annual Awards were awarded in 2004 for coverage in 2003. Award winners were: The 37th Annual Awards were awarded in 2005 for coverage in 2004. Award winners were: The 38th Annual Awards were awarded in 2006 for coverage in 2005. Award winners were: The 39th Annual Awards were awarded in 2007 for coverage in 2006. Award winners were: The 40th Annual Awards were awarded in 2008 for coverage in 2007. Award winners were: The 41st Annual Awards were awarded in 2009 for coverage in 2008. Award winners were:

2010–2020

The 42nd Annual Awards were awarded in 2010 for coverage in 2009. Award winners were: The 43rd Annual Awards were awarded in 2011 for coverage in 2010. Award winners were: The 44th annual award winners: The 45th annual award winners: The 46th annual award winners: The 47th annual award winners: The 48th annual award winners: The 49th annual award winners: The 50th annual award winners: The 51st annual award winners: The 52nd annual award winners:

2021-2022

The 53rd annual award winners: The 54th annual award winners: