Announcement Of 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners Postponed Due To Coronavirus

The Pulitzer Prize Board announced Tuesday (April 7) that it will postpone the announcement of this year’s winners to allow its board members, many of whom are working journalists, to cover the coronavirus pandemic.

The two week delay will also allow the board to thoroughly evaluate the 2020 Pulitzer finalists, the organization said. The announcement will now be made virtually on May 4 at 3 p.m., via livestream at Pulitzer.org.

“The Pulitzer board includes many high-level journalists who are on the frontlines of informing the public on the quickly evolving Coronavirus pandemic,” said Pulitzer Prize Administrator Dana Canedy in a statement. “As they focus on this critical mission, this postponement will provide additional time to thoroughly evaluate the 2020 Pulitzer finalists.”

The awards luncheon, annually held at Columbia University in May, will be postponed to the fall, the board said. Reception details will be announced at a later date.

Canedy added: “More than ever, this moment highlights journalism’s mission to provide a vital public service. It also demonstrates literature and the arts’ ability to transport and uplift the human spirit during trying times. The Pulitzer Prizes will continue its more than century-long mandate to celebrate such excellence.”

The news of The Pulitzer Prizes postponement echoes similar decisions made by other award celebrations. The Tony Awards, originally scheduled to take place on June 7, was postponed indefinitely. The Peabody Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, are just a few ceremonies that have also been pushed back.

The Pulitzer Prizes, first awarded in 1917, honors outstanding public service and achievement across journalism, drama, books and music.