Pulitzer Prizes Move Online

The Pulitzer Prize board finally had to jump on the bandwagon. As print magazines fold, and storied papers transition to all-online formats, and as online-only media becomes more influential, the most prestigious award in journalism is expanding coverage to Web-based publications.

The new eligibility rules were announced in a press release on Monday.

The board emphasized that in keeping with their newpaper-based focus, they will continue to exclude entries from printed magazines and broadcast media and their respective Web sites.

To qualify, a publication must be U.S.-based, publish at least weekly, and be "primarily dedicated to original news reporting and coverage of ongoing stories," and "adhere to the highest journalistic principles.”

It's about time that the Pulitzer's recognize online journalism, but it comes ironically, on the same day that The Tribune Company filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy. Besides the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune, the company also owns the Chicago Cubs.

Just another sign of the ongoing struggles of print media.