Pulitzer Price for breaking news photography (1942)

A Prize for Capturing Moments

The Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography is a continuation of the Pulitzer Prize for Photography, annually awarded for journalism. It was established in 1942 by provisions in the will of American (Hungarian-born) publisher Joseph Pulitzer, and is administered by Columbia University in New York City. Despite being an American award, the photos show events of public importance around the world. The prize is granted to a distinguished example of breaking news photography in black-and-white or colour, which may consist of a single photograph, a group of photographs, a sequence, or an album, that has captured the shock, chaos and heroism in dramatic situations. In addition, it is one of the highest honors in photojournalism. For decades, Pulitzer Prizes have allowed us to understand the experiences of both the photographer and the photographed, whilst learning about some of the most significant events of the last century.