Not only was Edward Snowden's exposure of top-secret NSA "spying" files one of the biggest new stories of the year, but the way the sage unfolded -- through periodic segments in the Guardian U.S. and the Washington Post -- was almost equally as news worthy. For their careful reporting, both publications received the top Pulitzer Prizes in journalism on Monday, Reuters reported.

Though President Obama and the U.S. government were understandably unhappy with the exposure of top secret information, they would eventually make significant policy changes because of the leak. They haven't, however, budged on their desire to arrest and prosecute Edward Snowden -- why he's been hiding out in a myriad of foreign countries.

To the Guardian, the Post, and more, Snowden remains a hero. Guardian Editor in Chief Alan Rusbridger even acknowledged the former NSA/CIA employee in his statement regarding the Pulitzer.

"We are particularly grateful for our colleagues across the world who supported the Guardian in circumstances which threatened to stifle our reporting," Rusbridger said. "And we share this honor, not only with our colleagues at The Washington Post, but also with Edward Snowden, who risked so much in the cause of the public service which has today been acknowledged by the award of this prestigious prize."

Reuters also reported their own Pulitzer for coverage of human trafficking in Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

"For two years, Reuters reporters have tirelessly investigated terrible human-rights abuses in a forgotten corner of the Muslim world, bringing the international dimensions of the oppressed Rohingya of Myanmar to global attention," Stephen Adler, Reuters editor-in-chief, said in a statement.