The New York Times and The Washington Post were both awarded three Pulitzer Prizes each for their exceptional journalism on a variety of global issues. ProPublica won the prize for public service for uncovering financial entanglements involving Justice Clarence Thomas. The Times was recognized for their coverage of migrant child labor in the U.S. and the Middle East conflict. The Post shared the national reporting prize for their investigation into the AR-15 rifle and Elon Musk’s workplace practices.
The Pulitzer board also issued a special citation for journalists covering the Middle East, acknowledging the dangers they face while reporting on the region. The Washington Post was recognized for opinion journalism, with Vladimir Kara-Murza winning the commentary prize and David E. Hoffman winning for his editorial writing. The New York Times Magazine received the award for feature writing for a piece on Alzheimer’s disease, while The New Yorker received prizes for explanatory reporting and illustrated reporting.
Justin Chang of The New Yorker won the criticism prize for film reviews, while a special citation was awarded to Greg Tate for his influential criticism and essays on hip-hop. Started in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are presented annually by Columbia University to honor excellence in journalism and letters. The ongoing turmoil in the news industry was acknowledged by the Pulitzer board, with concerns about job losses and the industry’s sustainability.
The Chicago-based Invisible Institute received two prizes, one for local reporting on missing Black girls and women in Chicago, and another for audio reporting on a hate crime in the 1990s. Major wire services, including the AP and Reuters, were recognized for their photography work on migrant travel and the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Lookout Santa Cruz, a digital-only start-up, won the breaking news prize for their coverage of damaging floods and mudslides in California.
Overall, the Pulitzer Prizes highlighted the importance of investigative journalism in uncovering injustice and conflict around the world. The winners showcased their dedication to telling important stories, even in the face of danger and uncertainty in the news industry. These awards serve as a reminder of the critical role that journalism plays in holding those in power accountable and informing the public about pressing issues.
