THE NELLIE BLY AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Congratulations, Glenn Kessler! 2025 winner of the Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting!
The Museum of Political Corruption is proud to announce that Glenn Kessler, veteran journalist and longtime Fact Checker for The Washington Post, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting.
Now in its ninth year, the prestigious Nellie Bly Award honors exceptional investigative journalism that exposes abuses of power and upholds the principles of truth, accountability, and transparency.
“At a time when truth is often under attack, Mr. Kessler’s work stands as a testament to the power of fact-based reporting,” said Dr. Bruce Roter, President of the Museum of Political Corruption. Kessler reflected on the honor, stating:
“As The Washington Post’s Fact Checker for more than 14 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the tide of misinformation sweeping the globe. Unraveling falsehoods and invented narratives requires intensive investigation, deep research — and often a thick skin. I’m honored to accept this award from the Museum of Political Corruption, recognizing the importance of political fact-checking.”
The Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting was established in 2016 by the Board of Trustees of The Museum of Political Corruption to honoring distinguished journalists who have reported on corruption. The award also honors the legacy of the pioneering 19th century journalist Nellie Bly. Born Elizabeth Cochran Seaman (1864-1922), Bly worked for the New York World. She is best known for exposing social and political injustice, including her chilling expose of the deplorable conditions at the psychiatric institution on Blackwell’s Island.
The specific inspiration behind the Nellie Bly Award was an episode that occurred in Bly’s career in 1888. Bly went undercover and traveled to Albany, New York posing as a lobbyist because she heard it was possible to “buy” the New York State legislature in order to have a bill killed. She met with the lobbyist Ed Phelps at the Kenmore Hotel on Pearl Street in downtown Albany. He facilitated the transaction for the price of $1,250. Bly declined to pay the sum, and returned to her paper to write about the experience in an article she entitled “King of the Lobby.”
Since Bly was offered the opportunity to “purchase” the New York State legislature for $1,250, the amount of the Nellie Bly Award honorarium has accordingly been fixed at $1,250.
The Award is announced annually on May 5th (Nellie Bly’s birthday) with an award ceremony and reception taking place in the fall.
Previous Winners
Nellie Bly Award Ceremonies and Roundtable Discussions
Your Voice Matters!
Nominations, including self-nominations, are welcome for individuals or teams. Hosted by nonprofit, nonpartisan Museum of Political Corruption, the Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting recognizes extraordinary current reporting on American politics and government that exposes corruption, keeps the public informed and holds public officials accountable. Investigative reporting on all media platforms will be considered. Previous Nellie Bly Award winners: Anna Wolfe (2023); Jerry Mitchell (2022); Alex Gibney (2021); Jane Mayer (2020); Jim Heaney (2019); Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey (2018); and Susanne Craig (2017). Nominations are normally due by March 22nd.
