Press Freedom Center — National Press Club

One year ago today, Evan Gershkovich was reunited with his family after spending 500 days in Russian detention.

The efforts to #freeEvan were a success, but press freedom still remains a massive issue around the world. #JournalismIsNotACrime

Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club Responds to Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Shuttering of Operations WASHINGTON, August 1 – The following is a statement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo, in response to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s announcement that it will begin shutting d...

"The idea that journalism should only survive where it’s profitable is not just shortsighted — it’s dangerous."

Read @pressclubdc.bsky.social President @mikebalsamo.bsky.social's statement on the shuttering of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:

www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

One year ago, @alsuk.bsky.social was released from wrongful detention in Russia. Click to learn her story of incredible bravery. #JournalismIsNotACrime

One Year Ago Was Highpoint for Press Freedom Hostage Recovery WASHINGTON, Aug 1 – The following statement is from Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club. “On Aug. 1 history was made as American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva joined ...

Read the full statement at the link below:

Despite the difficult conditions of negotiations with Russia during a war, the U.S. showed that no challenge is too great when it comes to bringing Americans home."

This was press freedom at its best. The U.S. government showed what it is capable of doing by putting together a complicated multi-nation negotiation with diplomatic skill and determination.

“On August 1, 2024, history was made as American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva joined their families on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

Below is an excerpt of a statement from National Press Club president, Mike Balsamo:

On August 14, we will hold an all-day conference on the Austin Tice case to review the past year and assess new information.

In-person tickets are $35, and virtual tickets are free, with a $10 suggested donation.

RSVP here:

www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-tic...

As we highlight the importance of investigative journalism, we think of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira, who lost their lives in pursuit of the truth.

#HowToSaveTheAmazon #JournalismIsNotACrime

Press Freedom Center To Host All-Day Conference on Austin Tice Case on Aug. 14 News Advisory What A full-day conference examining new developments in the past year in Austin’s case in government, media, and intelligence. Who Leaders in domestic and foreign government, journalism...

NEW: On August 14, the Press Freedom Center will host an all-day conference on Austin Tice, discussing latest developments in the case.

Learn more and RSVP at the link:

www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

Press Freedom Center Releases Statement on Dropped Charges Against Cincinnati Beat Journalists WASHINGTON, July 24 — The following is a statement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo: “We are relieved that felony charges were dropped yesterday against two journalists from Cincinnati ...

"Press freedom is not a foreign fight. It is tested here at home, in our cities and counties, every time a journalist steps into the field."

Read @mikebalsamo.bsky.social's statement on dropped charges against Cincinnati CityBeat journalists at the link:

www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

We are days away from an expected verdict in the trial of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who has been detained since January on charges that are widely seen as politically motivated.

Click to learn more about Mzia's case. #FreeMzia #JournalismIsNotACrime

"She took Palestinians everywhere. She was there, she was the voice. She went everywhere that we couldn't go."

@jihanabdalla.bsky.social and Abderrahim Foukara discuss Shireen Abu Akleh's lasting impact as a journalist at a recent event at the @pressclubdc.bsky.social:

Millions of Americans rely on public media as their only connection to local journalism.

Read the full press release from the Press Freedom Center at the link:

www.press.org/newsroom/nat...

Click to learn about "lawfare" and how it can be wielded to limit and impact press freedoms around the world.

National Press Club: Update on Appeal In Case of Journalist Dong Yuyu WASHINGTON, July 18 – Following is an update on the case of Chinese Journalist Dong Yuyu, provided by his family. “After being sentenced to seven years in prison for espionage at the trial level in No...

ICYMI: On Friday, the Press Freedom Center issued an update on the case of detained journalist Yuyu Dong.

We urge press organizations throughout the world to keep demanding Dong’s immediate release.

Read the full statement here:
www.press.org/newsroom/nat...

National Press Club: Public Media Cuts Undermine Access to Trusted News in Underserved Communities WASHINGTON, July 18— National Press Club President Mike Balsamo issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Publi...

“Congress just voted to silence trusted journalism in communities that need it most."

Read Press Club President @mikebalsamo.bsky.social's full statement on Congress's decision to cut funding to public media:

www.press.org/newsroom/nat...

“You put some skin in the game to find out what’s happening.”

@dionnissenbaum.bsky.social talks about the lengths he and other journalists went to to uncover the truth in the documentary #WhoKilledShireen.

Full convo here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrfM...

These are very difficult and dangerous times for journalists. Click through to learn what you can do to support press freedom, like subscribing to independent journalism and sharing the stories of journalists in trouble:

Today, the Press Freedom Center calls for the release of Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi from Megiddo Prison in Israel.

There was no evidence presented against him following charges of supporting a terrorist organization.

Full release at link:
www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

Today is Nika Novak's 33rd birthday. She is spending it in a penal colony in Russia. Her only crime? Reporting the truth.

#JournalismIsNotACrime #FreeNika @rferl.org.web.brid.gy

"Support independent outlets doing the difficult work the mainstream media in many ways has abandoned."

@mehdirhasan.bsky.social on how people can keep the focus on #ShireenAbuAkleh and keep advocating for justice and accountability for her killing.

www.instagram.com/reel/DMIdKMy...

"A person died, a journalist, a Palestinian American. This is not just some abstract thing."

We asked @mehdirhasan.bsky.social what he wanted viewers to take home last Wednesday when they viewed 'Who Killed Shireen' at the @pressclubdc.bsky.social:

www.instagram.com/p/DMGXyQcx6-E/

Per @rsf.org, the United States is currently experiencing its first significant decline in press freedom.

#SupportPressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime

Listen to Abderrahim Foukara of @aljazeera.com discuss why the death of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh resonated so powerfully both in the Middle East and in the United States:

www.instagram.com/reel/DL-JXiB...

Congress is close to cutting more than $1 BILLION from public TV and radio stations - ending dozens of local stations.

Help us save local news!

YouTube video by National Press Club Live Press Freedom Center Screening Panel: Who Killed Shireen?

ICYMI: The PFC and @zeteo.com hosted panelists to discuss the documentary film 'Who Killed Shireen,' following a screening.

Watch the panel discussion, featuring @mehdirhasan.bsky.social, @dionnissenbaum.bsky.social, @jihanabdalla.bsky.social, and Abderrahim Foukara:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrfM...

TONIGHT: Join the PFC and @zeteo.com as we screen 'Who Killed Shireen' and hold a panel discussion with journalists and producers immediately to follow.

It's not too late to grab a ticket! Get yours at the link:

www.eventbrite.com/e/who-killed...