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Evan Gershkovich. Austin Tice.
We are saying Evan’s and Austin’s names every day, as a reminder to all that each remains unjustly detained in Russia and Syria, respectively, for simply doing their jobs as journalists.
Next week, the Institute and National Press Club will explore the state of press freedom across the globe in a series of programs tied to World Press Freedom Day on May 3. (More on that below.) We invite you to join — and to say Evan’s and Austin’s names often as we amplify the message: Journalism is not a crime.
Empowering journalists and defending press freedom in the U.S. and abroad is central to the Institute’s work, and we are grateful to have your support in our efforts. This year, more than 2,175 journalists and communicators have joined our seven panel discussions and training opportunities. On Saturday, we celebrated 28 years of The Kalb Report — a critical look at journalism's role in democracy. And we’ve reported dozens of tip sheets to help thousands of journalists in their daily practice.
As we look to the Institute’s future under a new executive director, named this week, we hope you’ll share your ideas on how we can strengthen and sustain journalism. Your voice matters to us.
Your voice also matters to Evan and Austin. Until they are home safely, let’s continue to say their names and remind all that journalism is not a crime.
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Exiled journalists share firsthand accounts of navigating asylum and work abroad, May 4
As part of our extended World Press Freedom Day activities, the National Press Club’s Press Freedom Committee and the Institute are hosting an online panel discussion at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 4, to highlight cases of exiled journalists from around the world.
The reasons an increasing number of foreign journalists are making the difficult decision to flee their home countries vary — from government crackdowns to foreign invasions, military coups to drug cartel threats.
But the trendline is unmistakable and harrowing for what it tells us about global norms around intolerance for critical watchdog journalism. As more journalists seek asylum and try to build a life abroad, the support they receive in their new locations can vary greatly and, with it, the ability of these exiled newsgatherers to practice their craft.
Join us to hear what life has been like for a few of these exiled journalists since they made the decision to pursue life and freedom abroad.
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Panelists include:
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María Lilly Delgado, co-founder of Traces of Impunity, a data and investigative journalism effort that highlights human rights violations in Nicaragua. Until late 2021, she worked as a freelance correspondent for Noticiero Univision, reporting on the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua until threats prompted her to go into exile in Miami.
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Muhamadjon Kabirov, editor-in-chief of Azda TV, a Tajik-language news network based in Poland, and board president of the Foundation for Intercultural Integration, which assists refugees in Poland.
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Sonny Swe, co-founder of Frontier Myanmar, an independent media organization now operating out of northern Thailand that covers Burmese news. Swe previously spent nearly a decade in prison for breaching the military junta’s censorship laws during his time running The Myanmar Times, an English-language newspaper that he also founded.
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Masrat Zahra, an independent photojournalist from the Indian-administered region of Kashmir. Her photographs of human rights violations prompted the Indian government in 2020 to charge her with “anti-national activities.” Fearing arrest if she is forced to return to India, Masrat is a Knight Wallce fellow at the University of Michigan.
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Moderator: Preethi Nallu, global director at Report for the World and the former founding editor of the news outlet Refugees Deeply.
You can also read interviews with other journalists in exile all next week in The Latest, our daily newsletter for journalists. Subscribe now for this exclusive World Press Freedom Day content.
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What journalists need to know about threats, arrests while working in the field, May 5
Journalists working throughout the United States face innumerable risks to their well-being while performing their essential work, and the disturbing trend is only growing.
Join us at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, May 5, for a discussion about concerns for journalists working in the U.S. — another extension of activities to recognize World Press Freedom Day.
This virtual program, produced by National Press Club’s Press Freedom Committee and the Institute, will feature firsthand accounts from journalists who have been arrested or mistreated for simply doing their jobs.
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Panelists include:
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Matilda Bliss and Veronica Coit, two journalists with the citizen journalism publication Asheville Blade who were arrested on trespassing charges while documenting a sweep of a homeless camp in 2021. Body cam footage was just released indicating they were targets. Their case is in appeal to a jury trial.
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Dion Rabouin, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained while doing a routine person-on-the-street interview outside of a bank in Phoenix. The mayor eventually personally apologized for Rabouin’s mistreatment.
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Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, which oversees the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.
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Moderator: Steve Reilly, a Washington, D.C.-based investigative reporter for The Messenger. Reilly is a member of the National Press Club and serves on its Press Freedom Team and Board of Governors.
For an extended list of other activities in honor of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, visit the National Press Club’s calendar.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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Firewalls & Journalism: What to know about Internet shutdown trends
An open and free Internet is widely seen as essential to journalists to both conduct their reporting and to disseminate their work. But a worsening trend of authoritarian and illiberal governments moving to erect digital firewalls and cut off Internet access, particularly during times of natural disaster or political crisis, is imperiling the ability of large swaths of the global population to stay informed and for journalists to track critical news developments. Watch the conversation.
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Donate to support press freedom efforts.
The Institute is proud of its work to power journalism in the public interest. We hope you’ll express your commitment to press freedom and the importance of journalists to a healthy democracy with a donation to our general fund today.
Your gift in any amount helps us produce top-notch training and support for thousands of journalists throughout the country.
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The National Press Club has recognized imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich with its highest honor for press freedom, the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award.
Eileen O’Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the Institute, issued a statement:
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“Journalist Evan Gershkovich has been dedicated and courageous while reporting from Russia during a period of dramatically increased danger for journalists. In an environment filled with risks, he has consistently delivered honest, bold and enlightening news coverage. Evan’s journalism is the cause of his unjust detention by Russian security forces. Journalism is not a crime and Evan should not be jailed for his profession — he should be honored for it. We call for Evan to be released immediately and without conditions.” | |
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By selecting Evan Gershkovich, the Club and the Institute are committing to monitor and support his case and to work toward ensuring his freedom.
Past Aubuchon honorees include Maria Ressa, Jason Rezaian, Austin Tice, Marie Colvin, Jamal Khashoggi, Danny Fenster and, last year, Rana Ayyub. The award will be formally presented to Evan, hopefully in person, later this year at the Fourth Estate Awards Gala.
Show your support for journalist Austin Tice on social media
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Join the National Press Club’s Action for Austin Day on May 2 by sharing your support for Austin Tice on your social media channels using these graphics. Tice is an award-winning journalist who has been unjustly detained in Syria since 2012.
For more Action for Austin events, visit the NPC calendar.
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The National Press Club and the Journalism Institute regularly issue press freedom statements to support press freedom around the world. Here’s a selection of recent statements:
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Subscribe to The Latest before Monday to receive exclusive content during our extended World Press Freedom Day activities. | |
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The National Press Club Journalism Institute has appointed Beth Francesco, an experienced educator, press freedom advocate, and editor, as the organization’s next executive director.
Francesco was unanimously approved to lead the organization, which is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, as it redefines and expands its professional development offerings and press freedom initiatives in light of journalists’ evolving needs.
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The Institute serves thousands of journalists throughout the country through its webinars, afternoon newsletter, scholarships, and other resources.
Francesco has served as interim executive director since October, when Julie Moos left the role after shepherding a period of rapid growth and a pivot to fully virtual services during the challenging circumstances brought on by the COVID pandemic.
The Institute board determined that Francesco has shown incredible energy, initiative, and talent in driving momentum forward while planning a return to in-person activities and establishing infrastructure to expand the Institute’s service areas.
“Beth has shown that when faced with a challenge, she can come up with new solutions,” said Institute President Gil Klein. “She has worked closely with Club teams to create programs that fit the Institute’s mission, and she has shown a drive to find new revenue sources that will expand its reach. She is the right person at the right time for this job.”
Club President Eileen O’Reilly said she is enthusiastic with the choice.
“I know that Beth will lead the NPCJI to its highest level yet,” O’Reilly said. “Beth has a steely strong commitment to our press freedom mission and our drive to foster excellence and opportunity for journalists everywhere, and I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the years to come.”
Learn more about Beth and her plans for the National Press Club Journalism Institute here.
The Kalb Report concludes award-winning run
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Former longtime NBC and CBS News international correspondent Marvin Kalb was the moderator of The Kalb Report, which won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Festivals. Photo: Alan Kotok | |
Former NPC President Michael Freedman won the John Cosgrove Award for continuing contributions to the Club following his term in office. Freedman also is executive producer of The Kalb Report. Photo: Alan Kotok | |
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More than 200 people gathered Saturday to mark the conclusion of The Kalb Report, which for 28 years has brought prominent journalists, policy makers, and thought leaders to the National Press Club to examine the role of the press in promoting and defending democracy.
Both Marvin Kalb, former longtime chief diplomatic correspondent for CBS and NBC News and moderator of The Kalb Report, and Mike Freedman, former general manager of CBS Radio Network News, were lauded for their roles in bringing The Kalb Report to life in 1994. Freedman served as executive producer for each of the 103 episodes in the series.
The series received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement honor in the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.
Freedman, a former NPC president and current member of the National Press Club Journalism Institute board, was also honored in front of his family, friends, and many fans, with the John Cosgrove Award. The award recognizes former Club presidents who remain active in the Club following their term in office.
Learn more about The Kalb Report, which was funded by generous support from the Inasmuch Foundation.
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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908. | |
National Press Club Journalism Institute
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