National Press Club names imprisoned journalist Evan Gershkovich a 2023 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award honoree

The National Press Club is honoring 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 National Press Club Journalism Institute, issued a joint statement announcing the award:

“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.”

Aubuchon honorees do not simply receive recognition and a prize. By selecting Evan Gershkovich, the Club and the Institute are committing to monitor and support his case and to work toward ensuring his freedom, including his freedom to publish. The Club and the Institute will continue to advocate not only for Evan, but also for all the foreign journalists working from Russia and who had expected that their non-Russian passports would provide them some protection.

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 Press Club’s Fourth Estate Awards Gala.

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the word’s leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a leading voice for Press Freedom worldwide.

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute

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.

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