The Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting has been presented since 1998, for a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation. From 1985 to 1997, it was known as the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism.
The Pulitzer Prize Board announced the new category in November 1984, citing a series of explanatory articles that seven months earlier had won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing. The series, "Making It Fly" by Peter Rinearson of The Seattle Times, was a 29,000-word account of the development of the Boeing 757 jetliner. It had been entered in the National Reporting category, but judges moved it to Feature Writing to award it a prize. In the aftermath, the Pulitzer Prize Board said it was creating the new category in part because of the ambiguity about where explanatory accounts such as "Making It Fly" should be recognized. The Pulitzer Committee issues an official citation explaining the reasons for the award.
List of winners for Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism (1985–1997) YearName(s)PublicationRationale1985The Baltimore Sun"for his seven-part series 'The Mind Fixers,' about the new science of molecular psychiatry."Wausau Daily Herald"for a special section on Wausau's growing Indochinese refugee population, the Hmong."StaffGreensboro News and Record"for its series on the complex role tobacco plays in North Carolina."1986StaffThe New York Times"for a six-part comprehensive series on the Strategic Defense Initiative, which explored the scientific, political and foreign policy issues involved in 'Star Wars.'"The Minnesota Star Tribune"for his seven-part series on the water crisis in America and his analysis of proposed remedies."The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"for their series that examined new developments in genetic engineering and the legal, moral and social ramifications of biotechnology."1987Chicago Tribune"for their series on the promises of gene therapy, which examined the implications of this revolutionary medical treatment."The Washington Post"for his six-part series on teen-age pregnancy, which examined in compelling detail the complex realities behind a national problem."Miami Herald"for her special report on the vanishing rain forest, which detailed the rapid destruction of one of the earth's oldest and most fragile ecosystems."1988The Wall Street Journal"for their stories about an investment banker charged with insider trading and the critical day that followed the October 19, 1987 stock market crash."The Washington Post"for her account of a year in the life of an urban high school, an in-depth portrait that examined many of the problems facing American education."The Philadelphia Inquirer"for his series of reports on a secret Pentagon budget used by the government to sponsor defense research and an arms buildup."1989 (artist)The Dallas Morning News"for their special report on a 1985 airplane crash, the follow-up investigation, and the implications for air safety." (reporter) (photographer)Los Angeles Times"for his candid and thorough reporting on media practices and practitioners."The Wall Street Journal"for stories about America's struggle to maintain its technological superiority over international competitors, especially Japan."1990The Washington Post"for stories scrutinizing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the way it has been affected by the policies of its former chairman, John Shad."The Seattle Times"for a revealing series about oil tanker safety and the failure of industry and government to adequately oversee the shipping of oil."StaffThe Dallas Morning News"for a series about five 'hidden wars' being waged around the world, primarily in Third World countries."StaffDaily Times-Advocate"for its coverage of a shooting spree by a local mail carrier and the subsequent examination of the problems and stress faced by postal service workers."1991The Wall Street Journal"for a report on the leveraged buy-out of Safeway Stores, Inc., that revealed the human costs of high finance."Chicago Tribune"for their series about the promises and quandaries of genetic research."The Roanoke Times"for insightful stories about life-and-death decisions at a local intensive care unit."1992Hartford Courant"for a series about the flawed Hubble Space Telescope that illustrated many of the problems plaguing USA's space program."The Times-Picayune"for 'Louisiana in Peril,' articles about the toxic waste and pollution that threaten the future of the state."The News Tribune"for comprehensive coverage of a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful special initiative on the state's 1991 ballot that would have granted terminally ill individuals the right to have a physician end their lives."1993The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"for 'When Bugs Fight Back', a series that explored the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics and pesticides."The Wall Street Journal"for 'The American Civilization,' a series of articles examining Jeffersonian ideals in contemporary America."StaffThe Post-Standard"for its series about the inadequate medical care given New York state prison inmates."1994Chicago Tribune"for his lucid coverage of current developments in neurological science."StaffThe Dallas Morning News"for its series examining the epidemic of violence against women in many nations."StaffNewsday"for its exhaustive investigation of breast cancer in the community, which included a probe of the environmental factors that may contribute to its spread."1995 (staff writer)The Washington Post"for their profile of a District of Columbia family's struggle with destructive cycles of poverty, illiteracy, crime and drug abuse." (photographer)The Wall Street Journal"for his stories about inner-city honor students in Washington, D.C. and their determination to survive and prosper."StaffMontgomery Advertiser"for its probe of questionable management practices and self-interest at the Southern Poverty Law Center, the nation's best-endowed civil rights charity."1996Newsday"for her courageous reporting from Zaire on the Ebola virus outbreak there."The New York Times"for their coverage of deficient safety regulation of commuter air traffic."Los Angeles Times"for reporting on problems stemming from the lack of regulation in California's booming managed health care industry and the implications for the rest of the country."The Kansas City Star"for their series on the impact of spreading suburban growth."1997 (photographer)The Philadelphia Inquirer"for a series on the choices that confronted critically ill patients who sought to die with dignity." (photographer) (reporter)Chicago Tribune"for a series of reports that illustrated through dramatic examples the need for training of personnel and installation of special equipment by U.S. airlines to cope with medical emergencies in the air."The Baltimore Sun"for their portrait of the complex practices of slavery in the Sudan."
List of winners for Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting (1998–present)