“Editorial Cartooning” Legend Dead to Pulitzers

The first Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoon in 1922 

How is The Pulitzer Prize board celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning? By eliminating “Editorial Cartooning” as the name of the category.

Editorial Cartoonists, going forward, will be known as Illustrated Reporters and Commentators.

From the Pulitzer site:

The Editorial Cartooning category is now called Illustrated Reporting and Commentary [emphasis added]. Redefined last year, the category recognizes “a distinguished portfolio of editorial cartoons or other illustrated work (still, animated, or both) characterized by political insight, editorial effectiveness, or public service value.”

“… or other illustrated work.”

Since only one editorial cartoonist, as the term is commonly understood (single panel political cartoon appearing in a newspaper), has won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in the past four years it seemed inevitable.

The Pulitzer Board, of late, rejects the judges’ choices as often as taking one to heart.

For Illustrated Reporters and Commentators who wish to enter the competition,
be quick – January 25, 2022 is the deadline.

to the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.