December 10th, 2008
Once again I’m including this snippet in my “Good News Report.”
According to a December 8th press release from the Pulitzer Prize website, “The Pulitzer Prizes in journalism, which honor the work of American newspapers appearing in print, have been expanded to include many text-based newspapers and news organizations that publish only on the Internet, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced today.
“The Board also has decided to allow entries made up entirely of online content to be submitted in all 14 Pulitzer journalism categories.”
There’s a kind of wacky proviso, as follows: “While broadening the competition, the Board stressed that all entered material — whether online or in print — should come from United States newspapers or news organizations that publish at least weekly, that are ‘primarily dedicated to original news reporting and coverage of ongoing stories,’ and that ‘adhere to the highest journalistic principles.'” OK. Whatever.
But despite that verbiage, there follows: “”This is an important step forward, reflecting our continued commitment to American newspapers as well as our willingness to adapt to the remarkable growth of online journalism,’ said Sig Gissler, administrator of the Prizes. ‘The new rules enlarge the Pulitzer tent and recognize more fully the role of the Web, while underscoring the enduring value of words and of serious reporting.'”
Yep, a good step forward. Good news for all journalists and for all readers of serious journalism.
The New York Times coverage is available, as is a report plus Q&A in Editor & Publisher.