Reason Magazine Garners 17 Nominations in Southern California Journalism Awards 2025

Magazine Nominations

Columnist

Editor in Chief Katherine Mangu-Ward is nominated for three articles:

• "Hypocrisy on Bodily Autonomy at the DEA," from the February 2025 issue of Reason.
• "Why Free Movement Is Essential to a Free Society," from the August/September 2025 issue of Reason.
• "Don't Fear 'Frankenfood.' We're Already Living in the Lab-Grown Future," from the October 2025 issue of Reason.

Investigative Reporting

Billy Binion, Investigative Reporter, is nominated for "Not Guilty but Punished Anyway," from the May 2025 issue of Reason. The article explores a lesser-known aspect of the U.S. criminal justice system: defendants can be sentenced for charges a jury rejected.

Feature, Entertainment (Over 1,000 Words)

Joe Lancaster, Assistant Editor, is nominated for "How the Punisher, a Murderous Anti-Hero, Became the Mascot for Increasingly Militarized Police Forces," from the December 2025 issue of Reason. The piece examines how law enforcement has adopted Marvel's Punisher as an aspirational symbol rather than a cautionary one.

Print/Online National Politics/Government Reporting

Ronald Bailey, Science Correspondent, is nominated for "Can America Get Out of the Gerontocracy Trap?," from the May 2025 issue of Reason. The article analyzes the harms of America's gerontocracy and explores potential solutions.

Immigration Reporting, Sociopolitical

Fiona Harrigan, Deputy Managing Editor, is nominated for "An El Paso Christian Charity Is Caught Up in Texas' Border Fight Against the Feds," from the February 2025 issue of Reason. The report covers the government's pursuit of a Christian charity that provides food, shelter, and clothing to immigrants.

Print Business Reporting

Eric Boehm, Reporter, is nominated for "Trump's War on Chocolate: 'There's No Way for Us To Source This Domestically'," from the November 2025 issue of Reason. The article investigates how tariffs have negatively impacted American chocolatiers.

Activism Journalism

C.J. Ciaramella, Reporter, is nominated for "Texas and Florida Have Become National Models for Using the Police State To Wage Culture War Battles," from the November 2025 issue of Reason. The piece explores how governments are using culture-war battles to expand police-state tactics that threaten individual freedom.

Online Investigative, Government Related

Christian Britschgi, Reporter, is nominated for "New Jersey Town Says Small Setbacks, Stray Cats Allow It To Seize Private Property." The article examines allegations that a local government is attempting to seize private property from business owners using flimsy accusations of blight.

Art/Photography: Best Issue

Joanna Andreasson, Art Director, is nominated for her work on the August/September 2025 issue of Reason, which explores freedom around the globe.

Broadcast—TV/Film/Radio/Podcast

Humor/Satire Writing

A team of producers and directors is nominated for two podcast episodes:

• "Andor v. Star Trek: How Star Wars Gets Government Right" by Producer Andrew Heaton, Senior Producer Austin Bragg, Director of Special Projects Meredith Bragg, and Producer John Carter.
• "Every Confirmation Hearing Ever" by Producer Andrew Heaton, Senior Producer Austin Bragg, Director of Special Projects Meredith Bragg, and Producer John Carter.

Activism Journalism

A production team is nominated for "Snowden was right. Now Trump should pardon him." The nominees include Senior Producer Zach Weissmueller, Editor John Osterhoudt, and Motion Graphics Artist Lex Villena.