Pulitzer Prizes could be handed out to Web based commentary?

(I first found this at Greg Sandoval's article here: http://tinyurl.com/6blocd )

(You may find the original and full text of the press release here: http://tinyurl.com/6hwpkj )

Quoting the Pulitzer Press Release:

"New York, Dec. 8, 2008 – The Pulitzer Prizes in journalism, which honor the work of American newspapers appearing in print, have been expanded to include many text-based newspapers and news organizations that publish only on the Internet, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced today.

The Board also has decided to allow entries made up entirely of online content to be submitted in all 14 Pulitzer journalism categories.

While broadening the competition, the Board stressed that all entered material -- whether online or in print -- should come from United States newspapers or news organizations that publish at least weekly, that are "primarily dedicated to original news reporting and coverage of ongoing stories," and that "adhere to the highest journalistic principles.”

Consistent with its historic focus on daily and weekly newspapers, the Board will continue to exclude entries from printed magazines and broadcast media and their respective Web sites...."

So they're now allowing serious online context and content?

Interesting because with the floundering of newspapers locally, state wide and nationally, the web may finally have found a place amongst the more serious journalistic efforts of the Seattle Times, Post Intelligencer, Washington Post, Portland Oregonian and many other sources.

The newspapers have been fighting for market share against some amazingly formidable foes that can create a simple web blog from many different sources. (See Google.com for more information.) with only a click and a whimper.

Some online sources do not even cost a dime to post under but do have some minor clauses under their Acceptable User Policies. (No profanity, No adult material or pornography or advertising. See the web hosting site's policy for more information.)

So I hope in the future, the Pulitzer prizes will go to video, audio and many other forms of very valid of forms of journalism that may finally put a coffin in the paper form of news for once and for all.