Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1998. [Vol. 5.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 25)
Studies - András Csillag: Joseph Pulitzer, Master Journalist and Benefactor
"Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in no time a people as base as itself. The power to mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations. This is why 1 urge my colleagues to aid the important experiment which I have ventured to endow..." (North American Review , May, 1904) This extraordinary statement of hope and faith in journalism was later further developed to the ultimate statement used as the PostDispatch platform quoted earlier. Even after signing the agreement with the university prolonged discussions followed concerning organizational matters. The actual building of the institution was delayed —an interval which sadly dragged out until the end of Pulitzer's life. Eventually, the graduate school in New York opened in 1912, a year after Pulitzer died. Since then, generations of able students who became remarkable reporters, editors and TV personalities have graduated from it, many of whose names are well-known in the United States. Besides establishing the School of Journalism at Columbia, Pulitzer in his will provided funds for a series of prizes in the interest of literature and good newspaper work. This was a confirmation of the agreement he had reached with the university in 1903 directing the School of Journalism to annually award prizes for excellent achievements in the following categories: 1. For the most disinterested and meritorious public service rendered by any American newspaper. 2. For the best editorial article. 3. For the best example of a reporter's work. 4. For the American novel which shall best present the wholesome atmosphere of American life, and the highest standard of American manners and manhood. 5. For the original American play, which shall best represent the educational value and power ol the stage in raising the standard of good morals, good taste, and good manners. 18
