Pulitzer Prize Board recognizes 'tireless efforts' of student journalists covering college protests

The Pulitzer Prize Board issued a statement Thursday recognizing the “tireless efforts” of student journalists across the country who have covered the campus protests at “great personal and academic risk” to themselves.

“As we gather to consider the nation’s finest and most courageous journalism, the Pulitzer Prize Board would like to recognize the tireless efforts of student journalists across our nation’s college campuses, who are covering protests and unrest in the face of great personal and academic risk,” the statement read.

The Board highlighted Columbia University student journalists’ coverage of unfolding events Tuesday evening in particular, as the New York Police Department (NYPD) moved onto campus to retake a building that had been seized by pro-Palestinian protesters.

“We would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary real-time reporting of student journalists at Columbia University, where the Pulitzer Prizes are housed, as the New York Police Department was called onto campus on Tuesday night,” the statement continued.

“In the spirit of press freedom, these students worked to document a major national news event under difficult and dangerous circumstances and at risk of arrest.”

In recent weeks, protests on college campuses have grown across the country, and some university administrators have called in police officials to try to manage the situation. Student journalists and national media alike have played a key role in covering the unfolding unrest.

Columbia University administers the Pulitzer Prize, which is considered the nation's most prestigious award for achievement in journalism.