“Seek truth and report it.”

These words come directly from the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. They remind journalists of the most basic goal of their profession: to inform the general public of the truth in the world, no matter how unpopular or uncomfortable the truth may be.

This year, Colorado Springs Gazette reporter David Philipps exposed uncomfortable truths involving the mistreatment of wounded veterans after they are discharged from the military. Philipps  used personal portraits and data-driven journalism to tell the stories of discharged vets with no medical benefits and a bevy of health problems. The three-part series won a 2014 Pulitzer Prize in national reporting—the highest honor in journalism.

Philipps doesn’t work for the New York Times or the Washington Post, and he’s only 36 years old—practically a newborn in the journalism industry. But his hard work was recognized at the national level because of its significance, brutal truth and impact on society. Philipps exposed a glaring, nationwide problem in his series, and his superb journalistic work should be celebrated because it affected change in American society.

It takes one person to be a catalyst for change. It doesn’t matter if they work for the Wall Street Journal or a podunk community newspaper. By following the Code of Ethics, journalists can change the world with impactful, award-winning stories. All they must do is seek truth and report it.