The Pulitzer Prizes stand as a testament to the pinnacle of achievement in journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States. As we look at the finalists for the 2024 Pulitzer Prizes, we see a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have excelled in their respective fields, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.
Journalism: A Commitment to Truth
In the realm of journalism, the finalists have set themselves apart through their dedication to uncovering the truth and informing the public.
Public Service
ProPublica received the award for the work of Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski, and Kirsten Berg. Their groundbreaking and ambitious reporting pierced the thick wall of secrecy surrounding the Supreme Court, revealing how a small group of politically influential billionaires wooed justices with lavish gifts and travel, ultimately pushing the Court to adopt its first code of conduct.
Finalists:
- KFF Health News and Cox Media Group uncovered millions of cases in which the Social Security Administration overpaid beneficiaries, imposing debts on elderly and disabled people who had already spent the funds.
- The Washington Post provided a sobering examination of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, forcing readers to reckon with the horrors wrought by the weapon often used in mass shootings in America.
Breaking News Reporting
The staff of Lookout Santa Cruz, California received the award for their detailed and nimble community-focused coverage over a holiday weekend. They reported on catastrophic flooding and mudslides that displaced thousands of residents and destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses.
Finalists:
- The staff of the Honolulu Civil Beat delivered distinctive, sweeping, and urgent coverage of the Maui wildfires that killed more than 100 people and left a historic town in ruins. Their reporting held officials accountable and chronicled the aftermath and efforts to rebuild.
- The staff of the Los Angeles Times demonstrated clear knowledge of and commitment to the local Asian communities in their urgent and thoughtful coverage of a Lunar New Year overnight shooting that left 11 senior citizens dead.
Investigative Reporting
Hannah Dreier of The New York Times received the award for a deeply reported series of stories revealing the stunning reach of migrant child labor across the United States. Her work exposed corporate and governmental failures that perpetuate this issue.
Finalists:
- Casey Ross and Bob Herman of STAT exposed how UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest health insurer, used an unregulated algorithm to override clinicians’ judgments and deny care, highlighting the dangers of AI use in medicine.
- The staff of Bloomberg conducted a deep and rigorous investigation into how the US government aided the global spread of gun violence, prompting the Biden administration to halt most gun exports for 90 days while reviewing the federal government’s marketing relationship with gun manufacturers.
Celebrating Excellence
The 2024 Pulitzer Finalists represent the best of the best in their fields. Their work not only reflects their immense talent and hard work but also underscores the importance of the arts and journalism in society. As we celebrate their achievements, we also look forward to the announcement of the winners, who will join the ranks of the esteemed Pulitzer laureates.
