Young man who recorded Floyd's death reacts to verdict 0:44
(CNN) -
The Pulitzer Prizes recognize some of the most important journalistic works of the year.
In this edition, a person who is not a professional journalist, but whose actions had as much impact as if they had been, is among the winners.
Darnella Frazier, who filmed George Floyd's death, received a special mention, Aminda Marqués González, co-chair of the Pulitzer Prize Board of Directors, announced on Friday.
The board of directors said Frazier was honored "for bravely filming the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in the pursuit of truth and justice by part of the journalists.
Lawmakers predicted the growing racial divide more than 50 years before George Floyd's death.
Why didn't the solution run?
The 2020 news cycle was dominated by the pandemic, which disrupted all aspects of life, including the functioning of newsrooms.
News organizations also covered and were affected by a reckoning over racial injustice.
And, of course, there were the US presidential elections.
The symbol of the Pulitzer Prize, awarded to the most important journalistic works of the year in the United States.
These three topics, not surprisingly, were the coverage areas honored with the Pulitzer Prizes, the most prestigious in American journalism, on Friday afternoon.
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"The magnitude of these stories and the pace at which they unfolded pushed many in the news business to the limits of resistance," Marqués González said during a live broadcast.
"Much of this year's great work came against the backdrop of incomprehensible loss as our colleagues and fellow citizens mourn the deaths of more than 600,000 people from covid-19."
The awards, administered by Columbia University, recognize the informative work of newspapers, magazines and digital media.
This year's announcement was originally scheduled for April 19.
But it was postponed to June so council members could meet in person to evaluate nominations rather than choosing winners remotely.
Young man who recorded Floyd's death reacts to verdict 0:44
The New York Times
received the Public Service Award this year, often considered the Pulitzer's top accolade.
“The award is presented to the
New York Times
for its courageous, foreboding and comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which exposed racial and economic inequalities, government failures in the US and elsewhere and filled the data gap helping local governments, healthcare providers, businesses and individuals to be better prepared and protected, ”the board said.
The Atlantic
won its first Pulitzer;
editor Ed Yong received the award for explanatory reporting.
BuzzFeed News also won for the first time, recognized by international information.
Here is the full list of the prizes awarded on Friday.
George Floyd Racism in America