Two journalists have been honored with 2025 Polk Awards, recognizing impactful reporting on global conflict and domestic political power. Jon Lee Anderson, a staff writer for The New Yorker, received the Sydney Schanberg Prize for his reporting on the decades-long war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Andy Kroll, a reporter at ProPublica, was awarded the Polk Award for political reporting for a profile of Russell Vought.
Reporting from the Congo
Anderson’s reporting involved travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Rwanda. His article examines a conflict that has resulted in as many as six million deaths due to violence, displacement, disease, and famine. Anderson’s work refutes a claim that the conflict had been “stopped” and explores the potential, though hard, path toward resolution.
A Profile of Russell Vought
Kroll’s award-winning profile details the rise of Russell Vought, currently the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, and his role as an architect of Project 2025. The reporting highlights Vought’s influence in efforts to alter the country’s legal landscape and transform the relationship between citizens and their government. He is described by both opponents and allies as “a master of the arcane rules that can get legislation passed.”
The Polk Awards, which will be presented on April 10th, commemorate journalist George Polk, who was killed while reporting on a civil war in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Polk Awards?
The Polk Awards are among the highest honors in journalism, preserving the memory of George Polk, a CBS journalist killed while reporting in 1948.
What was the focus of Anderson’s reporting?
Anderson’s reporting focused on the decades-long war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a conflict that has resulted in as many as six million deaths.
What role did Russell Vought play, according to Kroll’s profile?
Kroll’s profile details Vought’s role as an architect of Project 2025 and his efforts to alter the country’s legal landscape and transform the relationship between citizens and their government.
As these award-winning journalists continue their work, what role do you believe investigative reporting plays in holding power accountable and informing the public?
