A photographer and photo editor at The New York Times for 31 years, freelance journalist Jose R. Lopez has shot presidents, Super Bowls and the end of the Bosnian War. He also contributed to The Times's 2002 Breaking News and Feature Photography Prize-winning staff entries on the September 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan.
Covering the process for the third consecutive year, Lopez documented the remote Journalism jury meetings that were an integral stage of a singular Pulitzer Prize process defined by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about Lopez and his work, please visit his website.
The Pulitzer World Room located inside the Columbia University's Pulitzer Hall, where the judging of the 2020 Pulitzer Prizes took place on Feb. 19 and 20, 2020. (Credit: Copyright Pulitzer Prizes/Jose R. Lopez)
The front page of the March 12, 2020 edition of The New York Times with the headline announcing restricted travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept through the country. (Credit: Copyright Pulitzer Prizes/Jose R. Lopez)
The empty Pulitzer World Room where the judging of the 2021 Pulitzer Prizes was scheduled to take place. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the judging would be done via Zoom video conferencing. (Credit: Copyright Pulitzer Prizes/Jose R. Lopez)
More than 40 faces fill the computer screen via a Zoom session on the morning of Feb. 17th as the Pulitzer staff will help the jurors complete the task of judging the entries in the various categories.
Stephen Engelberg, the co-chair of the Pulitzer Prize Board, delivered opening remarks to the jurors.
Engelberg was joined by his co-chair, Aminda Marqués Gonzalez, in welcoming the jurors to the judging.
Bud Kliment, the interim administrator, went through the process of the judging letting jurors know that he and his staff were available for any questions they may have throughout the day.
The members of the Breaking News Reporting category, lead by Susan Chira, top right, as they debated the work that was submitted for consideration.
Chair Héctor Tobar speaking with other jurors that were judging the Criticism category.
Public Service Chair Alix Freedman, top right, listening to Robert Little, one of the jurors, express his opinion.
Nancy Ancrum, chair of the Editorial Cartooning category, as she spoke to her fellow jurors.
There were lighter moments in the day as jurors in the Criticism category shared a laugh.
John Archibald, the chair of the Editorial Writing category. speaking to fellow jurors.
Jurors of the Breaking News and Feature Photography categories, lead by Marcia L. Allert, bottom right, listening to Carol Guzy ask a question.
One image from a portfolio submitted by the Los Angeles Times for consideration in the 2021 Pulitzer Prize competition, which drew entries from media outlets across the U.S.
Another image from a portfolio submitted by National Geographic for consideration in the 2021 Pulitzer Prize competition.
Jurors of the Editorial Cartooning category listening to a fellow juror who chose not to activate their camera.
David Kocieniewski, upper left, asking questions as his fellow Explanatory Reporting jurors listen to him.
Michele Norris gestures as she makes a point to fellow jurors in the Audio Reporting category.
The facial reactions of the jurors in the Local Reporting category, led by Chair Chris Davis, center, as they discussed an entry.
Jim Schachter, the chair of the Audio Reporting jury, showing off his coffee mug when a fellow juror complimented him on it.
Sewell Chan, the chair of the International Reporting jury, center, as he led the discussion on an entry.
The members of the Pulitzer Prize staff who were online to help jurors. Top right, clockwise: Megan Mulligan, Sean Murphy, Columbia University Information Technology liaison Ivan Lozuk, Bud Kliment and Joseph Legaspi.
In past years, when they met in person, jurors were treated to “The Pulitzer” at the end of their workday. This cocktail, which is made of St. Germain, Prosecco, and a lemon twist, is named in honor of the award.