He was also a primary force behind the “prime-time access rule,” which the FCC instituted in 1971 in order to return a portion of each evening's prime time schedule to local stations (rather than the networks).
Other winners of this award have included Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope, Walter Cronkite, and Ted Turner.
The center's mission is to conduct, support, reward, and disseminate research that informs the communications policymaking process and ethical decision-making in the management of media institutions.
Each year, the McGannon Center awards the Donald McGannon Award for Social and Ethical Relevance in Communications Policy Research to the best book addressing issues of communications policy or ethics published in the previous year.
Donald McGannon's legacy also lives on in the annual Donald H. McGannon Award awarded each year by the Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ to an individual who has made special contributions to advancing opportunities for women and people of color in the media, as well as in the annual Donald McGannon Award presented each year by the National Urban League to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to ideals and beliefs in equal opportunity.