2018 Pulitzer Prizes: #MeToo coverage, Kendrick Lamar and more
Kendrick Lamar created history by becoming the first rap artist to receive the Pulitzer Award for Music on Monday, generally accorded to jazz and classical artists, for his album 'DAMN'. The New York Times and The New Yorker won Pulitzer for Public Service for reportage on workplace sexual harassment and galvanizing #MeToo movement. Washington Post's coverage of Russian involvement in the Presidential election was highlighted too.
Lamar's politically charged album gets him prestigious award
30-year-old Lamar's album 'DAMN' documented black life in LA whilst tackling personal and political issues. The jury noticed, "Lamar's album as a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life." 'Black Panther' director Ryan Coogler called Lamar (who orchestrated music of the blockbuster) an artist challenging notions.
Investigations leading to global #MeToo movement win Pulitzer
Reportage of Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey, Emily Steel and Michael S. Schmidt for The New York Times, and Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker, on sexual harassment at workplace won Pulitzer for Public Service. The investigation revealed years of sexual abuse Hollywood women suffered at hands of mogul Harvey Weinstein. It toppled powerful men and started #MeToo movement, helping victims of abuse to break silence.
Megan Twohey thanks women for speaking up
Washington Post wins Pulitzer for unearthing Roy Moore's sexual misconduct
The staff of Washington Post was awarded for their stubborn reporting on sexual misconduct of Republican candidate Roy Moore (he made uncomfortable advances to underage girls), resulting in Democrat Doug Jones' election to the Senate. The Washington Post and The NYT also took the Pulitzer award for national reporting on Russian meddling in the Presidential elections revealing contact between Russian and Donald Trump's officials.
Rohingya photography get Reuters Pulitzer
The International reporting award went to Clare Baldwin, Andrew R.C. Marshall and Manuel Mogato of Reuters for coverage of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown on drugs. The agency also won Pulitzer for heartbreaking photos on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Reportedly, 6,50,000 Rohingyas fled the country, many were allegedly shot by the army, and Myanmar's State Council Suu Kyi drew criticism from many quarters.
Coverage of California wildfires gets Press Democrat Pulitzer
The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa won Pulitzer for breaking news about California wildfires. Photographer Ryan Kelly won the award for clicking a photo of people stuck in a car in a white nationalist rally. Newspaper Cincinnati Enquirer won Pulitzer for local reporting for the story on how heroin affected the community. The Arizona Republic and USA Today won Pulitzer for explanatory reporting about Trump's proposed wall.
