Pulitzer Prize Board May Not Honor Reporting on Snowden Leaks

Reporting on the biggest story of the
last year, or perhaps even the last decade, may not be honored by
the Pulitzer Prize Board. According to past Board members,
journalists, and watchdogs, the 19-member Board will undoubtedly
have an “intense discussion” about whether reporting on the
information leaked by whistle-blower Edward Snowden ought to be
recognized.

From
Politico:

Next month, the trustees who oversee America’s most
distinguished journalistic award could face their toughest decision
in at least four decades.

The issue before the Pulitzer Prize Board: Does it honor
reporting by The Washington Post and The Guardian based on stolen
government documents that are arguably detrimental to the national
security of the United States, and which were provided by a man who
many see as a traitor? Or, does it pass over what is widely viewed
as the single most significant story of the year — if not the
decade — for the sake of playing it safe?

Politico goes on to note that The New York Times
won the Pulitzer Public Service award in 1971 for its reporting on
Daniel Ellsberg’s Pentagon Papers.

While the Board may want to not appear political, it would be
astonishing if some of the most significant reporting of the last
decade were not seriously considered for recognition. Giving
reporting on the Snowden leaks a pass would make the the Board look
like a group of people that values good standing with officials
over the value of good journalism that is in the public
interest.

Reporting on the information leaked by Snowden has allowed the
public to know about the scale of mass global surveillance and has
prompted an overdue debate in the U.S. as well as abroad on the
state of civil liberties in the Internet age. It would be a shame
if this reporting, which was certainly in the public interest, is
not seriously considered for recognition by the Pulitzer Prize
Board because of some comparatively trivial political concerns.

The winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes will be announced at
3p.m. ET on April 14.