Malacañang protests Pulitzer snub (satire) | Inquirer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kuwento

Malacañang protests Pulitzer snub (satire)

/ 12:04 AM April 19, 2019

For the first time since Rodrigo Duterte became president, no Pulitzer Prize was awarded for coverage of his administration, triggering howls of protest from Malacanang.

‘This is outrageous! We will protest this!’ Duterte reportedly said in a cabinet meeting. “Mga walanghiya sila!”

Unlike the previous two years, the 2019 Pulitzer Prizes, which were awarded this week, did not include coverage of the Philippine leader.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“We are very disappointed with the Pulitzer Prize committee which has clearly failed to see the exciting journalism being produced due to the continuing impressive newsworthiness of the Duterte era in the Philippines,” Duterte Spokesman Sal Panelo said. “We were hoping for a Pulitzer for every year of Tatay Digong’s reign. Sayang naman.”

Duterte had been on a roll with the awarding of back-to-back Pulitzers for the reporting on his government.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2017, the New York Times won the Pulitzer for breaking news photography for “They Are Slaughtering Us Like Animals,” which was praised “for powerful storytelling … showing the callous disregard for human life in the Philippines brought about by a government assault on drug dealers and users.”

In 2018, Reuters, including Manila-based journalist Manny Mogato, won for international reporting for “relentless reporting that exposed the brutal killing campaign behind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.” The Reuters series was called “Duterte’s War.”

This year, the Pulitzer for international reporting went to coverage of abuse and suffering in Yemen and Myanmar. The award was shared by the Associated Press and Reuters.

ADVERTISEMENT

The AP won for “a revelatory yearlong series detailing the atrocities of the war in Yemen, including theft of food aid, deployment of child soldiers and torture of prisoners,” while Reuters again won for “expertly exposing the military units and Buddhist villagers responsible for the systematic expulsion and murder of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, courageous coverage that landed its reporters in prison.”

“Anong kagaguhan iyan!” Duterte reportedly yelled. “Myanmar? Syria? Tangina, ala namang sinabi ang mga yan sa patayan dito sa atin…”

In presenting the award to Reuters, the Pulitzer Committee cited the contributions of detained journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were also among the Time Persons of the Year, together with Rappler editor Maria Ressa.

Told of the Ressa connection to the winners, Duterte exclaimed: “Lintik, sabi na nga ba e: Kasalanan ni Ressa at ng Rappler!”

Visit the Kuwento page on Facebook.

Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING

Don't miss out on the latest news and information.
TAGS: Pulitzer Prize, Rodrigo Duterte, satire
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.




This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.