[theoctopus]

Had you actually read the article, you would have seen that:

> From there, she took it upon herself to create a database for Enquirer reporters, documenting the time, location, and nature of every opioid-related arrest that occured over those days.

The article also says that because of that database they were able to fill gaps in the article and make it as compelling as it was.

[philosopher1234]

She seems worthy of being added to the byline, but I don't think its right for you to be so dismissive of OP's point.

GP wrote a statement that sounds like "interns should be added to the byline for pulitzer prizes." The way its written sounds like a general statement. In reality, I'm not sure this is a reasonable expectation (as in, the word "should" seems inappropriate.)

We should consider what makes someones work Pullitzer prize worthy. I'd speculate (because I don't know much about journalism) that it really comes down to doing outstanding work, more than is usually expected of any individual, and for succeeding on metrics that are hard to succeed on.

This intern did something valuable, adding things to the database, and probably coming up with the idea for the database herself, but does this meet the criteria of being truly standout, incredible work?

The nature of this particular award that it was given to the entire staff who contributed substantially to the coverage, seems like she is thus worthy, but I don't think treating OP like they're being ridiculous is reasonable. This is a worthwhile question. I think a lot of people on this site are familiar with awards being given to people who don't seem to deserve it, so investigating this topic, for a case that resembles that pattern, doesn't seem so offensive or outrageous as you've kind of termed it.

[chris_wot]

It was a series of articles and she was key to the story. It was a team award, so all authors who got a byline were included.

The OP compared her work to someone “wiping down Einstein’s blackboard”. The dismissal of that comment was entirely warranted.

[theoctopus]

I agree that it's something to be discussed, but OP was quite disparaging with his comparison to somebody cleaning a chalkboard. Providing the interns participate in the investigation, as they did in this case, they should be included in any award given to the team that wrote the piece.

[Tagore]

It's an interesting award. Walter Duranty won a Pulitzer for denying the holodomor, and he was awarded a Pulitzer for his work, a Pulitzer that the Times has yet to address.

The reality that Duranty denied was comparable to the holocaust. Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of people died and the Times apologized for it.

[chris_wot]

God, that's awful. They said that they won't withdraw it because he didn't deliberately attempt to deceive anyone... that is their standard?

https://www.nytco.com/new-york-times-statement-about-1932-pu...