Mike My Words – from the brain of Mike McDowell

According to their press release, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced that they have officially expanded their award criteria to include online journalists (ie – bloggers). Well, sort of. You’ll have to write for a U.S. newspaper that publishes content at least weekly and that is “primarily dedicated to original news reporting and coverage of ongoing stories,” and that “adheres to the highest journalistic principles.” They will still exclude printed magazines and TV news media that publish content on the Web. 

A couple of years ago, Pulitzer allowed online content from newspapers. However, the big news this year is that they’re also allowing newspaper content that is exclusively online. 

This is a big step in recognizing online journalism and the shift in communication… new media. I suppose all bloggers aren’t quite getting full billing yet, but it’s a step in the right direction. I have to believe that it is only a matter of time until bloggers, citizen journalists, and the like will be eligible for a Pulitzer Prize – even if they don’t write for a newspaper.