Polish Journalist Antoni Słodkowski Wins a Second Pulitzer Prize, Making Him the First Pole to do So
Antoni Słodkowski, a Polish journalist for Reuters, has once again made headlines with his groundbreaking investigative journalism. His latest series, "The Fentanyl Express," has won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting, marking the first time Reuters has taken the top prize in this category.
The seven-part series delves into the global fentanyl trade, a powerful synthetic opioid at the heart of the opioid crisis in the United States. Słodkowski and his team shed light on the mechanisms and routes that have contributed to the opioid overdose epidemic, providing detailed reportage on how fentanyl reached and influenced communities across America.
The series uncovers the ease with which precursor chemicals for fentanyl are purchased from Chinese suppliers and smuggled into the U.S. It also reveals the intricate supply chain that enables the flow of fentanyl into the country and how Chinese companies have exploited American customs regulations to smuggle chemicals.
This Pulitzer Prize win underscores the authority and depth of the series' coverage of the fentanyl trade and the opioid epidemic. Słodkowski's reporting has been lauded for its investigative rigor and impact on public awareness of these intertwined public health and law enforcement challenges.
Słodkowski's career has been marked by a commitment to uncovering stories of global significance, often at considerable personal and professional risk. Before his work on "The Fentanyl Express," he won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2019 for an investigation into atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Born in Łódź, Poland, Słodkowski spent much of his career reporting from Asia, including Japan, China, and Myanmar. He currently serves as Reuters' Chief Politics & General News Correspondent in China.
The 2025 Pulitzer awards underscored the vital role of investigative journalism in holding power to account and illuminating issues that shape public policy and society. Other notable winners this year include The Washington Post for its coverage of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and The New York Times for its coverage of the fentanyl crisis in Baltimore.
The Pulitzer Prize jury of 18 selected winners across 15 journalism and seven arts categories this year, recognising the importance of quality journalism in an increasingly complex world. With "The Fentanyl Express" series, Słodkowski continues to demonstrate his commitment to uncovering the truth and bringing critical issues to light.
- Antoni Słodkowski, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting, delved into the global trade of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States.
- The seven-part series illuminated the mechanisms and routes enabling fentanyl's reach into American communities, revealing how Chinese companies exploited customs regulations to smuggle chemicals.
- Słodkowski's groundbreaking work on "The Fentanyl Express" sheds light on a public health and law enforcement challenge of global significance, emphasizing the vital role of investigative journalism.
- Prior to his work on "The Fentanyl Express," Słodkowski won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2019, investigating atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
- Born in Łódź, Poland, Słodkowski has spent much of his career reporting from Asia, serving currently as Reuters' Chief Politics & General News Correspondent in China.
- The Pulitzer awards in 2025 recognized the importance of quality journalism in an increasingly complex world and highlighted other notable wins, such as The Washington Post's coverage of the former President Donald Trump's assassination attempt and The New York Times' coverage of the fentanyl crisis in Baltimore.
- By ensuring transparency and accountability, investigative journalism like Słodkowski's continues to shape public policy, society, and critical discussions on topics like chronic diseases, health and wellness, crime and justice, politics, trade, AI, science, medical-conditions, and general news.
