Journalists just don't like writing stories. Journalists like
winning awards for those stories.
It's the accreditation they need to prove to themselves that they
made the right choice in picking journalism and not selling their souls by going
into PR or becoming lawyers or doctors like their moms wanted them to.
For many journalists, winning an award is the pat on the back they
don't get from their desk editor for missing their grandma's birthday to cover
that protest or hurricane.
But more importantly, journalists like awards given by other
journalists. It's something to do with being applauded by peers and then
rubbing the award in the faces of co-workers.
The quench for awards is so much at times that journalists find
themselves putting off potential Pulitzer work to focus on submitting award
entries.
And much like how Hollywood has its Oscar-baited movies (see
"Beautiful Mind"), some of the biggest pieces of journalistic
investigation are done for the sole purpose of collecting awards.
No prize, is more sought after than he Pulitzer. A journalist
would sell his mom's house and his left foot for one of those puppies. But to
make a journalist happy, it doesn't have to be the Pulizer. Anything with
a medal, trophy or public adoration will suffice.
So from the Pulitzer to state contests to the annual Northeastern Central Weekly County Awards, journalists like submitting their stories in hopes of winning, all in hope of getting a plaque that will adorn their cubicle and draw the jealousy of fellow journalists.
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