Press Release Header for the Anthony Lewis Prize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

WASHINGTON (January 15, 2025) - The World Justice Project today launched the 2025 Anthony Lewis Prize for Exceptional Rule of Law Journalism. 

The $10,000 prize recognizes journalistic courage and craft that strengthens accountability, advances adherence to rule of law principles, and builds awareness of the foundational importance of the rule of law. 

Named for Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times legal reporter Anthony Lewis, a friend and inspiration to the World Justice Project, the Lewis Prize celebrates outstanding reporting on rule of law issues, such as: government accountability, human and civil rights, access to justice, open government, corruption, criminal justice, and judicial independence. 

“Amidst a global rule of law recession and the continued rise of authoritarianism, the role of journalists in promoting transparency and accountability is more important than ever,” said Alejandro Ponce, WJP’s chief research officer and incoming executive director.  

“Yet journalism itself faces intense pressures around the world,” he added. “The 2025 Anthony Lewis Prize will celebrate journalists’ courageous and irreplaceable contributions to defending the rule of law.” 

Submissions Due by March 2, 2025 

Anyone can nominate a journalist (or team of journalists) who has demonstrated excellence in rule of law reporting, and self-nominations are welcome. The contest is open to journalists anywhere in the world, but all submissions should be translated into English, if necessary.  

Judges include Simon Long of The Economist, Larry Madowo of CNN International, John Nery of Rappler, and past winner, Pavla Holcová of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project 

The 2025 Lewis Prize winner will be honored at World Justice Forum 2025: Standing Up for the Rule of Law, to be held in Warsaw, Poland, June 23-26. 

Learn more about the Lewis Prize and apply here: WorldJusticeProject.org/LewisPrize

 

### 

Media Contact: [email protected] 

About the World Justice Project 

The World Justice Project is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide. The annual World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index® is used by governments, multilateral organizations, businesses, academia, media, and civil society organizations around the world to assess and address gaps in the rule of law.  

Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It is the foundation for communities of equity, opportunity, and peace—underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights. Learn more at WorldJusticeProject.org 

 

title bar

Read More

title bar

A People-Centered Approach to Justice

To strengthen global understanding of access to justice, the World Justice Project has developed the Global Legal Needs Survey (GLNS)—the first effort to collect comparable data on how people experience and resolve legal problems worldwide. Conducted in over 100 countries between 2017 and 2024, the survey captures the voices of more than 100,000 people, shedding light on the most common legal challenges, sources of help, and the real-life impact of justice problems.

Read More
WJP Chief of Public Sector Partnerships Mark Lewis during his participation in the United Kingdom House of Lords Constitution Committee’s official inquiry into the rule of law

WJP Shares Global Rule of Law Trends with UK House of Lords

On July 2, 2025, the World Justice Project (WJP) was honored to participate in the United Kingdom House of Lords Constitution Committee’s official inquiry into the rule of law. This invitation followed WJP’s written submission and marked an invaluable opportunity to support evidence-based policymaking in the United Kingdom.

Read More

In Memory of William H. Neukom

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our founder and dear friend, William H. Neukom, known to all of us simply as Bill. Bill was the driving force behind the World Justice Project (WJP), and his absence leaves a profound void in the soul of our organization. His belief in justice was unwavering. His deep humanity and his remarkable gift for bringing people together—regardless of background or origin—shaped everything we do at WJP.

Read More