Pulitzer Insider: Many Online Entries This Year, But Print Dominates

By: Joe Strupp Newspapers vying for the Pulitzer Prize this year are taking advantage of the new rules allowing online entries in all 14 journalism categories, according to administrator Sig Gissler. But, while Web material is being submitted in each category, the majority of the entries remain print-oriented.

"I see online stuff showing up in all categories," Gissler said Thursday, although he declined to estimate what percentage of entries came from the Web. "It is not extensive, but it is an interesting step down a new road."

Gissler, who made his comments just days before the Pulitzer juries meet next week to choose finalists for the coveted prizes, estimated that less than half the entries were online-based stories and photos. He added that "the majority of them do not have online components."

Still, he called the crop of Web material a good sign, noting that the rule change allowing such entries came about in late 2005. "I didn't expect to be overwhelmed with it," noted Gissler, who has run the prizes since 2002. "We made the change fairly late in the year and we are taking it one step at a time. We will revisit what happened and make any modifications where appropriate."

The New York Times and several other top papers told E&P they submitted no online-only entries.

Since 1999, online entries had been allowed in only the Public Service category. But, the change last year opened up such entries to the other 13 categories. Gissler stressed, however, that the online material is still limited to written work and still images. Video, audio, and other Web-based material can only be submitted as supplemental material.

The Pulitzers have allowed supplemental material for years, Gissler said, which often consists of follow-up articles or testimonial letters that give an indication of the impact of coverage. But, he said jurors and board members are not required to consider supplementals, which are limited to 20 such items in public service, 10 in reporting categories, and five in feature writing.

"Some of the (online material) is supplemental and some is actual parts of the entry," Gissler said. "If it shows the scope, impact or results of the material, or if it is something they would like the judges to be aware of."

Toby Usnik, a spokesman for The New York Times, said his paper had not submitted any Web-only entries, but noted that several entries had included Web components. "The new rule has affected some of our entries," he said. "But only one significantly."

Ann Marie Lipinski, editor of the Chicago Tribune, also noted several online components, calling them "a small but notable part" of the paper's submissions. "There were pieces of the entries that were significant online elements," she added.

At The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Editor Doug Clifton offered no examples of Web-related entries, but added that the late rule change may have been a reason for his paper's lack of such entries.

"We were a little bit slow in taking advantage of it," Clifton said. "But I think we may next year." He cited a new political blog that has drawn interest locally as one online approach likely to be included in future online-related submissions. "I'm sure that it will evolve," he said of the paper's use of the Web. "But the Pulitzer isn't driving it, it is the new reality."

The Denver Post also had no online-only entries, according to Editor Greg Moore. But he predicted they would likely appear next year, especially in the photography category. "We put a lot of photos online that are not in the newspaper," said Moore, who is also on the Pulitzer board. "I think it is a good idea and reflects a reality out there."

Gissler added that the online option did not affect the number of overall entries this year, noting that about 1,300 submissions came in for all the journalism categories, about average. "It was very positive," he said about the reaction to the new rule change. "People felt we were making an important change. We are trying to provide a blend of print and online."

The administrator pointed out that the change was done within all categories instead of creating a new online category to reflect the direction of the industry. "Most contests have separate categories for online," he said. "But we wanted to reflect where the industry is headed, to a blend of online and print."

But when the jurors meet next week to choose finalists, the increased Web entries will not be the only thing discussed. After their three-day gathering ends on Wednesday, the inevitable leaks of finalists are likely to begin. Although the Pulitzer organizers have strict rules about not revealing finalists before the winners are chosen in April, and require jurors to sign a pledge of secrecy, lists of such finalists seem to flow out anyway.

"We just rely on the jurors to abide by our rules," Gissler said when asked about ways of plugging the leaks. "I think it is regrettable. One of the bad things is when they get the wrong one."