As the Melbourne Press Club's Media Hall of Fame becomes national, 51 NSW "late and living legends of journalism" have been added to the 30 pioneers honoured in June.

Trail-blazing women journalists Ita Buttrose and Anne Summers, star broadcasters Mike Willesee and John Laws, global investigative journalists Phillip Knightley and John Pilger and publishers Sir Frank and Kerry Packer were among those honoured at a dinner in Sydney last Friday.

They were inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame as part of the national phase of the Melbourne Press Club initiative.

Profiles of all the inductees to date - including pioneer John Pasacoe Fawkner - are here.

The proceedings included a keynote address by Sydney Morning Herald investigative journalist Kate McClymont, who was among inductees.

Melbourne Press Club chief executive Mark Baker said journalism had played a vital role in exposing corruption in all levels of government, business and other institutions for more than two centuries.

"It is important the public understands this when the traditional business models of journalism are being challenged and people are being asked to pay for journalism in new ways," he said.

"The Media Hall of Fame shows how great journalism matters and is worth paying for, indeed is vital for the continued health of our democracy."

The NSW inductees join 81 Victorians honoured between 2012 and 2014. Inductees from other states and territories around Australia will be announced at a dinner in Canberra late next year.

Judges for the NSW selections were former Fairfax editor Michael Smith (chair), media commentator Mark Day, media historian Professor Bridget Griffen-Foley of Macquarie University, and Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers.