WRAL parent company inducted to NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame

Friday marks a special day for Capitol Broadcasting, for WRAL and for journalism in North Carolina.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, the parent company of WRAL News, is part of the 2024 class inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of North Carolina.

CBC is the first company to get that honor.

The induction recognizes the many pioneering feats of Capitol Broadcasting, among them: the first TV station with a news helicopter in the state, one of the first media outlets in the country with a news website and the first station in the nation to broadcast an all-HD newscast.

CBC CEO and Chairman of the Board Jim Goodmon accepted the honor on behalf of the company started by his grandfather.

"The big goal here, in addition to being a business, is to serve the community," he said. "Respect your viewers and listeners, and they will trust you. And that trust is built over time. I consider it a privilege to be in this business. I think our team feels like it's a privilege to work here and do what we do."

Others in the 2024 Hall of Fame class are:

J.J. Carter, a global leader in sports marketing and communications; chief operating officer and president of Americas at FleishmanHillard.

Tom "Skip" Foreman Jr., regional sports editor for Lee Enterprises (for the News & Record of Greensboro and the Winston-Salem Journal) following decades with the Associated Press.

Eric Montross, UNC and NBA basketball player turned color commentator of almost two decades on the Tar Heel Sports Network.

Melanie Sill, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editor known for her leadership of The Sacramento Bee, The News & Observer of Raleigh and KPCC/ Southern California Public Radio.

Ami Vitale, award-winning National Geographic photographer and a six-time winner in the World Press Photos competition.

The festivities Friday included a luncheon at the Carolina Inn and an evening gala hosted by former long-time WRAL anchor David Crabtree.