Congrats Web Writers: You Are Now Pulitzer Eligible!

Sure, the Tribune Co. has just filed for bankruptcy, Gannett just laid off 2000 workers and The New York Times Co. has to borrow against its building. But the true sign of the times in the media industry: It was announced today that, for the first time, Web-only news outlets will be eligible for Pulitzer Prizes.

Pulitzer Administrator Sig Gissler told Joe Strupp at my magazine, Editor & Publisher, today that "we are expanding the Pulitzers to include many text-based newspapers and news organizations that publish only on the Internet." They are "stressing" that all entered material should come from news outlets that publish material at least weekly, "are primarily dedicated to original news reporting, are dedicated to coverage of ongoing stories and that adhere to the highest journalistic principles."

Gissler said the change, to take effect with the 2009 prizes - to be announced in April -- is occurring as part of an effort to "keep up with the changing media landscape." You betcha, as someone once said.

Asked, for example, if a news outlet such as Huffington Post -- which calls itself an "Internet newspaper" and is a mix of personal blogs, link aggregation and original reporting -- would be eligible, he declined to comment saying he did not want to discuss any individual outlet.

Sites that call themselves online "magazines" would be ineligible (this might rule out Slate and Salon).

The board has recently allowed newspapers to submit online elements with their entries. But this marks the first time Web-only news outlets will be able to compete. See this link for a full Q & A on the rules.

"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," Gissler said in a release. "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." The Board adopted the changes at its November meeting at Columbia University after "a lengthy study by a committee."

Stand back, Dana Priest, you've got some fresh competition!

Greg Mitchell is editor of E&P. His latest book, on Iraq and the media, is titled "So Wrong for So Long." His book on the 2008 election campaign will be published next month.

Comments

[grantlingel]

That's interesting.. it makes sense.. internet news sources reach way beyond that of the old fashion ways.
http://www.vagabondstory.com

[ohiomark]

.....and just when you thought the Pulitzer Prize couldn't be more meaningless.

[Balzac]

I wouldn't say it's cause for congratulations to have an exceedingly remote chance of winning a Pulitzer. I'm confident I'll never be struck by a meteorite, so I'm not going to wear a helmet for that remote possibility, nor do I feel any joy about the other remote possibility.

[stockholder5]

o no you di ent.

I hope i get one for that comment. lol

[Snowspot]

Can you get the pulitzer prize for blog comments?

:D

[Jacksonian]

First in line should be E&P's Greg Mitchell and Salon's Mark Benjamin for their fabulous reporting on Veterans' issues. For a country whose mantra is, "Support our troops," we-- and much of the MSM-- have shown a pathetic lack of interest either in the men and women in service to the U.S. around the world or those returning from war zones. Maybe a Pulitzer for these two would get our attention.

[Ani]

If I could, I would nominate the OffTheBus Citizen Journalists who did a remarkable job of reporting during the lead-up to our recent historic election. Their observations were directly responsible for offering a keener sense of the American election experience from a grassroots perspective. Their journalistic articles were observant, well written and carefully documented. Each of your Election Correspondents, spearheaded by an impressive team of Huffington Post editors, gave America something refreshing in a venue that allowed a unique view from some amazing volunteer writers. I read each of the articles with relish and miss now that component to HuffPo's excellent site. If ordinary citizens deserve to be considered for a Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, these folks certainly do.

[fabhell]

Jason LINKIN'S weekly takedown of another medium at LEAST gets a medal of valour. Dropping you ribbon in the mail.