The following remarks were delivered in New York, N.Y., by Pulitzer Prize Administrator Dana Canedy as part of the announcement of the 2020 Prize winners in Journalism, Books, Drama and Music on May 4, 2020.
Good afternoon and welcome to the announcement of the 2020 Pulitzer Prizes. My name is Dana Canedy and I am the Administrator of the Pulitzers.
In the past, we have announced the Prizes from Columbia University’s Journalism School, following the Pulitzer Board’s selection of winners. This year, of course, is different. I’m speaking to you today from my living room, following days of rigorous virtual and digital debate, discussion, and contemplation among our Board, as they selected this year’s winners in 15 journalism and seven arts and letters categories.
It goes without saying that today we announce the Pulitzer winners during deeply trying times.
Ironically, the very first time the Prizes were presented was June 1917 — less than a year before the 1918 outbreak of the Spanish Flu pandemic.
Throughout America’s greatest challenges — two World Wars, the Depression, the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and President John F. Kennedy, as well as 9/11, the Pulitzer Prizes have continued to celebrate excellence in journalism and arts and letters because in difficult times, the Pulitzers may be more important than ever.
During this season of unprecedented uncertainty, one thing we know for sure is that journalism never stops. And much like our courageous first responders and front-line healthcare workers, journalists are running toward the fire.
Despite relentless assaults on objective truth, coordinated efforts to undermine our nation’s free press, and persistent economic headwinds, journalists continue to pursue and deliver essential facts and truths to keep us safe and protect our democracy. They are risking — and far too often losing — their lives at a time when their words, their images, and their revelations are more necessary to our democracy than ever.
We also know that the arts have the power to sustain, unite and inspire us during times of uncertainty and fear.
Many are finding needed distraction in the pages of a book, solace in a beautiful song, comfort in a poem, and joy in a recorded theatrical performance. And while theaters across the nation are now dark, we know that their lights will shine brightly, once again.
And although we are facing challenging times and are physically distanced, journalism, and the arts and letters, will endure. And for another century, the Pulitzer Prizes will continue to celebrate the best of their work.
With that in mind, I am proud to announce the 104th class of Pulitzer Prize winners.
(Remarks as prepared).