Pulitzer Embraces the Web

Remember my article, Pulitzer Prize For Blogs?

Editor & Publisher is America’s oldest journal covering the newspaper industry. Read this article : Incoming Pulitzer Chair Steiger Wants More Web In Awards for an update on the current state of affairs.

Stating what he considers priorities for the Pulitzer board, which will meet again next in the fall, Steiger was clear that rewarding Web journalism was a key to keeping the awards relevant. “So much of our work continues to be online,” said Steiger, who was appointed chair earlier this week. “So much exciting stuff is being done online, and by essentially print newsrooms, that have made it a bigger and bigger adjunct of the newsroom.”

The categories for which the journalism prize is awarded are: (Source: Wikipedia)

1. Public Service – for a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources, which may include editorials, cartoons, and photographs, as well as reporting. Often thought of as the grand prize, the Public Service award is given to the newspaper, not to individuals.
2. Breaking News Reporting – for a distinguished example of local reporting of breaking news.
3. Investigative Reporting – for a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series.
4. Explanatory Reporting – for a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing, and clear presentation.
5. Beat Reporting – for a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity.
6. National Reporting – for a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs.
7. International Reporting – for a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs, including United Nations correspondence.
8. Feature Writing – for a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to high literary quality and originality.
9. Commentary – for distinguished commentary.
10. Criticism – for distinguished criticism.
11. Editorial Writing – for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clarity of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction.
12. Editorial Cartooning – for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing, and pictorial effect.
13. Breaking News Photography/Spot News Photography – for a distinguished example of breaking news photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, a sequence, or an album.
14. Feature Photography – for a distinguished example of feature photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, a sequence, or an album.