90th Annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music

90th Annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The 90th annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music, awarded on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board, were announced today by Columbia University.

The winners in each category, along with the names of the finalists in the competition, follow:

A. PRIZES IN JOURNALISM

1. PUBLIC SERVICE

For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics and online material, a gold medal.

Two Prizes of a gold medal each:

Awarded to the Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss., for its valorous and comprehensive coverage of Hurricane Katrina, providing a lifeline for devastated readers, in print and online, during their time of greatest need.

and

Awarded to The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, for its heroic, multi-faceted coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, making exceptional use of the newspaper's resources to serve an inundated city even after evacuation of the newspaper plant. (Selected by the Board from the Public Service category, where it was entered.)

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: The Blade, Toledo, Ohio, for its relentless probe of the state's investment in a rare-coin fund that exposed illegal actions by the governor and other state officials, spurring successful criminal prosecution and other corrective action, and The Washington Post for its exhaustive and illuminating exploration of the government's war on terrorism and the ensuing tension between national security and individual liberty.

2. BREAKING NEWS REPORTING

For a distinguished example of local reporting of breaking news, presented in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to the Staff of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, for its courageous and aggressive coverage of Hurricane Katrina, overcoming desperate conditions facing the city and the newspaper.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: The Atlanta Journal- Constitution Staff for its swift and rigorous accounts of a shooting rampage by a prisoner who seized a deputy sheriff's gun and killed a judge and three others, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Staff for its clear, cohesive and enterprising coverage of Hurricane Wilma after it battered a region still recovering from major storms the previous year.

3. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

For a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Susan Schmidt, James V. Grimaldi and R. Jeffrey Smith of The Washington Post for their indefatigable probe of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff that exposed congressional corruption and produced reform efforts.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino of the Los Angeles Times for their exposure of problems in the management of the J. Paul Getty Trust, the world's richest art institution, and in acquisition practices at other museums, and Sally Kestin, Megan O'Matz and John Maines of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel for their in-depth reports on the federal government's widespread mismanagement of hurricane aid, triggering indictments and other remedial action.

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, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to David Finkel of The Washington Post for his ambitious, clear- eyed case study of the United States government's attempt to bring democracy to Yemen.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Debbie Cenziper of The Miami Herald for her deeply researched examination of breakdowns in hurricane forecasting that often endanger lives, and Mark Johnson and Kawanza Newson of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for their riveting chronicle of a teenage girl's miraculous recovery from a rabies infection that medicine had previously considered fatal.

5. BEAT REPORTING

For a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Dana Priest of The Washington Post for her persistent, painstaking reports on secret "black site" prisons and other controversial features of the government's counterterrorism campaign.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Barry Meier of The New York Times for his original, strongly documented stories on a flawed heart- defibrillator that imperiled the safety of unwitting patients, and Jerry Mitchell of The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss., for his relentless and masterly stories on the successful prosecution of a man accused of orchestrating the killing of three civil rights workers in 1964.

6. NATIONAL REPORTING

For a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Two Prizes of $10,000 each:

Awarded to James Risen and Eric Lichtblau of The New York Times for their carefully sourced stories on secret domestic eavesdropping that stirred a national debate on the boundary line between fighting terrorism and protecting civil liberty.

and

Awarded to the Staffs of The San Diego Union-Tribune and Copley News Service, with notable work by Marcus Stern and Jerry Kammer, for their disclosure of bribe-taking that sent former Rep. Randy Cunningham to prison in disgrace.

Also nominated as a finalist in this category was: Michael Moss of The New York Times for his tenacious, thoroughly researched stories on the bureaucratic inertia that led to the fatal injury of American soldiers in Iraq who lacked protective armor.

7. INTERNATIONAL REPORTING

For a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Joseph Kahn and Jim Yardley of The New York Times for their ambitious stories on ragged justice in China as the booming nation's legal system evolves.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Steve Fainaru of The Washington Post for his powerful accounts of the deadly violence faced by ordinary American soldiers in Iraq as an insurgency intensified, and Sebastian Rotella of the Los Angeles Times for his well crafted reports on restive Muslims in Europe that foretold riots in France.

8. FEATURE WRITING

For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to quality of writing, originality and concision, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Jim Sheeler of the Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colo., for his poignant story on a Marine major who helps the families of comrades killed in Iraq cope with their loss and honor their sacrifice.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Dan Barry of The New York Times for his rich portfolio of pieces capturing slices of life in hurricane-battered New Orleans as well as his own New York City, and Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune for her intimate and compelling story about a federal judge whose husband and mother were murdered by an angry former plaintiff.

9. COMMENTARY

For distinguished commentary, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Nicholas D. Kristof of The New York Times for his graphic, deeply reported columns that, at personal risk, focused attention on genocide in Darfur and that gave voice to the voiceless in other parts of the world.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Chris Rose of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, for his vibrant and compassionate columns that gave voice to the afflictions of his city after it was struck by Hurricane Katrina, and Cynthia Tucker of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for her pungent, clear-eyed columns that tackled controversial issues with frankness and fortitude.

10. CRITICISM

For distinguished criticism, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Robin Givhan of The Washington Post for her witty, closely observed essays that transform fashion criticism into cultural criticism.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Nicolai Ouroussoff of The New York Times for his graceful, contemplative and wide ranging critiques of architecture and urban design from New Orleans to Berlin, and Jerry Saltz of The Village Voice, a New York City weekly, for his fresh, down-to-earth pieces on the visual arts and other cultural topics.

11. EDITORIAL WRITING

For distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Rick Attig and Doug Bates of The Oregonian, Portland, for their persuasive, richly reported editorials on abuses inside a forgotten Oregon mental hospital.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: the Editorial Board of The Birmingham (Ala.) News for their series of incisive editorials reversing the paper's long-held support of the death penalty, and B. Marie Harris, Tony Biffle and Stan Tiner of The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss., for their passionate editorials in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that empathized with victims while pleading for relief from the outside world.

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, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Mike Luckovich of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for his powerful cartoons on an array of issues, drawn with a simple but piercing style.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Marshall Ramsey of The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss., for his vivid, wide ranging cartoons that express crisp opinions with uncomplicated artistry, and Mike Thompson of the Detroit Free Press for diverse cartoons that use wit, irony and artistic flair to sharpen their impact.

13. BREAKING 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, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to the Staff of The Dallas Morning News for its vivid photographs depicting the chaos and pain after Hurricane Katrina engulfed New Orleans.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Carolyn Cole and Brian Vander Brug of the Los Angeles Times for their spellbinding coverage of Israel's emotion-packed withdrawal from Gaza, and Eric Gay of The Associated Press for his multifaceted coverage of the human suffering in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city.

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, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Todd Heisler of the Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colo., for his haunting, behind-the-scenes look at funerals for Colorado Marines who return from Iraq in caskets.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Mike Stocker of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel for his imaginative exploration of Holocaust survivors as Judaism faces a new century, and Damon Winter of the Los Angeles Times for his sensitive portrayal of two remote Eskimo villages coping with memories of sexual abuse by a missionary 30 years ago.

B. LETTERS AND DRAMA PRIZES

1. FICTION

For distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "March" by Geraldine Brooks (Viking).

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "The March" by E.L. Doctorow (Random House), and "The Bright Forever" by Lee Martin (Shaye Areheart Books/Crown Publishing).

2. DRAMA

For a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

No Award

Nominated as finalists in this category were: "Miss Witherspoon" by Christopher Durang, "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow" by Rolin Jones, and "Red Light Winter" by Adam Rapp.

3. HISTORY

For a distinguished book upon the history of the United States, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "Polio: An American Story" by David M. Oshinsky (Oxford University Press).

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "New York Burning" by Jill Lepore (Alfred A. Knopf), and "The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln" by Sean Wilentz (W.W. Norton).

4. BIOGRAPHY

For a distinguished biography or autobiography by an American author, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (Alfred A. Knopf).

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion (Alfred A. Knopf), and "The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism" by Megan Marshall (Houghton Mifflin).

5. POETRY

For a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "Late Wife" by Claudia Emerson (Louisiana State University Press).

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "American Sublime" by Elizabeth Alexander (Graywolf Press), and "Elegy on Toy Piano" by Dean Young (University of Pittsburgh Press).

6. GENERAL NON-FICTION

For a distinguished book of non-fiction by an American author that is not eligible for consideration in any other category, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain's Gulag in Kenya" by Caroline Elkins (Henry Holt).

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945" by Tony Judt (The Penguin Press), and "The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq" by George Packer (Farrar, Straus & Giroux).

C. PRIZE IN MUSIC

For distinguished musical composition by an American that has had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to "Piano Concerto: 'Chiavi in Mano'" by Yehudi Wyner, premiered February 17, 2005 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. (Associated Music Publishers, Inc.)

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Neruda Songs" by Peter Lieberson, premiered May 20, 2005 by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Associated Music Publishers, Inc.), and "Si Ji (Four Seasons)" by Chen Yi, premiered October 13, 2005 by the Cleveland Orchestra (Theodore Presser Company).

SPECIAL CITATIONS

A Special Citation to Edmund S. Morgan for a creative and deeply influential body of work as an American historian that spans the last half century.

and

A posthumous Special Citation to American composer Thelonious Monk for a body of distinguished and innovative musical composition that has had a significant and enduring impact on the evolution of jazz.

About the Pulitzer Prizes:

The Pulitzer Prize Board, chaired by Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., made its recommendations when it met at Columbia on April 13 and 14 and passed them to President Lee C. Bollinger. It announced that the awards would be presented at a luncheon on May 22 at Columbia University.

Jim Amoss, Kathleen Carroll, Jay Harris, Ann Marie Lipinski and Richard Oppel were re-elected to membership on the board.

The members of the Pulitzer Prize Board are: President Bollinger; Jim Amoss, editor, The New Orleans Times-Picayune; Amanda Bennett, editor, The Philadelphia Inquirer; Joann Byrd, former editor of the editorial page, Seattle Post-Intelligencer; Kathleen Carroll, senior vice president and executive editor, Associated Press; Thomas Friedman, columnist, The New York Times; Henry Louis Gates, Jr., W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Humanities, Harvard University (chair); Donald E. Graham, chairman, The Washington Post; Anders Gyllenhaal, editor and senior vice president, Star Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul; Jay T. Harris, director, The Center for the Study of Journalism and Democracy, University of Southern California; David M. Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan professor of history, Stanford University; Nicholas Lemann, dean, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University; Ann Marie Lipinski, senior vice president and editor, Chicago Tribune; Gregory L. Moore, editor, The Denver Post; Richard Oppel, editor, Austin American-Statesman; Michael Pride, editor, Concord (N.H.) Monitor; Paul Steiger, managing editor, The Wall Street Journal; Paul Tash, editor, CEO and chairman, St. Petersburg Times; and Sig Gissler, administrator of the Prizes.

In any category in which board members have an interest due to the action of the various nominating juries, those members do not participate in the discussion and voting and leave the room until a decision is reached in the affected category. Similarly, members of nominating juries do not participate in the discussion of or voting on entries in which they have an interest.

Source: Columbia University

CONTACT: Robert Hornsby, +1-212-854-9752, rh2239@columbia.edu, or
Melanie Farmer, +1-212-854-9082, mf2362@columbia.edu

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