As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, we are proud to present video of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize ceremony.
From Craig Dobson on Vimeo.
In his speech, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger reflected on the importance of democratic values.
"As I have noted on many occasions, the inauguration of the Prizes was nearly simultaneous to the beginnings of the Supreme Court cases in 1919 that formed the basis of the modern notions we have now about the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and press," he said.
"This, too, was prompted by the alarm over the rising tide of intolerance and censorship that was floating across the country. We are, indeed, fortunate that these, and other, bulwarks of freedom and respect for basic values of truth-seeking — and truth protection — in a framework of self-government and a Rule of Law — took root, prospered, and, I think, on the whole, succeeded."
Related
View a selection of photos from the ceremony.
Read President Bollinger's full speech.