Polish Journalist Antoni Słodkowski Achieves Unprecedented Milestone: Second Pulitzer Prize Victory
Acclaimed investigative journalist Antoni Słodkowski, working for Reuters, becomes the first Polish national to secure two Pulitzer Prizes. His latest victory, won alongside eight fellow Reuters journalists, came for their groundbreaking seven-part series "Fentanyl Express," which exposed the global fentanyl trade contributing to the opioid crisis in the U.S.
The investigative journalism piece, recognized in the Investigative Reporting category, revealed the alarming ease with which precursor chemicals responsible for creating the deadly synthetic opioid are obtained from Chinese suppliers and smuggled into the country. The reporting also highlighted shortcomings in U.S. authorities' efforts to halt the deadly flow.
The Pulitzer Prize, awarded annually by Columbia University, is considered the highest honor in American journalism. This year's ceremony, the 109th edition, saw 18 jurors selecting winners across 15 journalism and seven arts categories. With The New York Times leading with four awards, The New Yorker with three, and The Washington Post with two, Słodkowski's recognition stands out.
Reuters' "Fentanyl Express" series resulted from months of undercover work, during which the team purchased all necessary components to manufacture fentanyl for a mere $3,600—a sum enough to produce street drugs worth at least $3 million. The team ensured safe disposal of the chemicals and equipment, never synthesizing the drug. Their reporting showed, for the first time, the intricate supply chain that enables fentanyl to enter the U.S., inviting scrutiny of Chinese companies exploiting American customs regulations to smuggle cheap chemicals across borders.
The investigation also outlined the persistent failure of U.S. authorities to curb the tide, despite significant diplomatic and law enforcement efforts under both the Biden and Trump administrations. praised the series for its originality, depth, and the courage needed to penetrate such a dangerous black market.
Słodkowski is no stranger to the Pulitzer Prize, having claimed his first in 2019 for an investigation documenting the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Yet this double accolade cemented Słodkowski's legacy as a leading figure in investigative journalism, shining a light on the global dimensions of the opioid crisis and underlining the critical need for courageous reporting.
Słodkowski, a 39-year-old journalist based in Łódź, Poland, has spent much of his career in Asia, reporting from Japan, China, and Myanmar. Currently, he serves as Reuters' Chief Politics & General News Correspondent in China. Throughout his career, Słodkowski has demonstrated a commitment to uncovering stories of global significance, often at considerable personal and professional risk. Upon receiving his first Pulitzer, he credited the support of large, international news organizations like Reuters for enabling high-quality investigative journalism.
This year's Pulitzer ceremony also recognized coverage of other major global events. The New York Times was honored for its reporting on the fentanyl crisis in Baltimore and for breaking news photography documenting the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The Washington Post received accolades for its coverage of the same event and for editorial cartooning.
The 2025 awards underscored the vital role of investigative journalism in holding power to account and illuminating issues that shape public policy and society. For Słodkowski, the recognition is both a personal milestone and a testament to the enduring importance of fearless, fact-based reporting in a rapidly changing world.
- Antoni Słodkowski, a 39-year-old journalist from Poland, has demonstrated a commitment to uncovering stories of global significance, often putting his personal and professional life at risk.
- The 2025 Pulitzer ceremony underscored the vital role of investigative journalism in holding power to account and illuminating issues that shape public policy and society.
- Słodkowski is no stranger to the Pulitzer Prize, having claimed his first in 2019 for an investigation documenting the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
- The "Fentanyl Express" series, a groundbreaking exposé by Reuters journalists, revealed the alarming ease with which precursor chemicals responsible for creating the deadly synthetic opioid are obtained from Chinese suppliers and smuggled into the U.S.
- The investigative piece, recognized in the Investigative Reporting category, also invited scrutiny of Chinese companies exploiting American customs regulations to smuggle cheap chemicals across borders.
- In the realm of science and medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, and policy-making, the importance of robust, AI-enhanced, and fearless reporting like Słodkowski's becomes increasingly crucial, especially in sensitive areas such as war, politics, and international trade.
