The documentary-maker Norma Percy last night received the prestigious James Cameron award for 2003 for what the judges described as "30 years of serious contribution to television journalism". At a ceremony at City University's department of journalism in London, she was praised for her dedication, formidable networking talents and her "quite extraordinary" interviewing skills.

The former Labour leader Michael Foot was also given a special award for his "many years of journalism and scholarship".

Of Percy one of the judges said: "It's almost a lifetime achievement award ... she has made many important documentaries covering serious subjects such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, Watergate, and Yugoslavia."

Percy, who has also written for the Guardian, is an American who has been based in London for many years, working for her close collaborator Brian Lapping's production company.