2025 Pulitzer Prize Winners Announced Amid Press Freedom Threats

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2025 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced Monday afternoon from Columbia University, recognizing outstanding reporting and storytelling in journalism. This year’s awards come as journalists face growing threats to press freedom, particularly from the Trump administration’s recent efforts to control media narratives.

Among the notable winners, the staff of The Washington Post received an award for their coverage of the attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on July 13. Their work was praised for combining traditional reporting with audio and visual forensics, providing a detailed account of the incident.

Another significant recognition went to Reuters, awarded for their investigation into lax regulations that have allowed fentanyl, a highly dangerous drug, to proliferate in the U.S. Their reporting highlighted the global nature of the fentanyl crisis impacting users across America.

Azam Ahmed and Christina Goldbaum of The New York Times, along with Matthieu Aikins, were awarded for an article examining America’s failures in Afghanistan, tracing accountability back to U.S. support for brutal militia groups. This reporting sought to unravel the complicated history leading to today’s issues.

The Baltimore Banner and The New York Times jointly received an award for their investigation into Baltimore’s fentanyl crisis, showcasing how the epidemic has disproportionately affected older Black men through sophisticated statistical modeling.

The Wall Street Journal was recognized for its coverage of Elon Musk, detailing his shift toward conservative politics and his private conversations with international leaders. Their reporting provided new insights into Musk’s public persona and the influences shaping his actions.

Further accolades went to Declan Walsh and The New York Times for their in-depth reporting on the conflict in Sudan, offering a chilling look into the connection between foreign influence, the gold trade, and ongoing atrocities.

Additional winners included ProPublica for their investigative work on maternal health, exposing distressing accounts of pregnant women who died due to delayed care amid strict abortion laws. A special citation honored the late Chuck Stone for his groundbreaking journalism during the Civil Rights Movement.

The 2025 Pulitzer Prizes also recognized achievements in Letters and Drama, cementing its legacy as a leading institution in honoring excellence in journalism and literature.