• by Melynda Fuller , December 6, 2019

Podcasts have become a booming business for publishers. In 2019, countless new shows launched and publishers like Group Nine Media signed exclusive dealswith iHeartMedia’s podcast arm.

Next year, the IAB anticipates podcast advertising revenue to top $1 billion. The group also estimates podcast revenue grew by 53% between 2017 and 2018.

As the industry continues to expand, podcasts’ place in journalism has also begun to gather greater esteem. Next year, the Pulitzer Prize Board will institute a new audio reporting category, open to audio journalists, that includes radio broadcasts and podcasts.

U.S. newspapers, magazines, wire services and online news sites that regularly publish audio storytelling are all eligible to compete.

The Pulitzer will be given “for a distinguished example of audio journalism that serves the public interest, characterized by revelatory reporting and illuminating storytelling,” the organization writes.

The category places an emphasis on transparent and rigorous sourcing and a commitment to honesty.

“The renaissance of audio journalism in recent years has given rise to an extraordinary array of nonfiction storytelling. To recognize the best of that work, the Pulitzer Board is launching an experimental category to honor it,” Pulitzer administrator Dana Canedy, a former journalist for The New York Times stated.

The announcement added the new category is “for the 2020 prize cycle,” and Canedy calls it “an experimental category.”

Audio reporting will be the 15th journalism Pulitzer category. In 2007, a big change occurred when the “local reporting” category replaced “beat reporting.” That year, submissions also opened up to online journalism in most categories.

Nominations open December 16.