National Press Club

Government Transparency vs. National Security: Press Rights, Limits & Ideals in a Post-9/11 World

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How does a democracy achieve its public safety mission while honoring civil liberties -- particularly those liberties designed to keep a government true to its democratic character?

The National Press Club Journalism Institute has assembled a panel of award-winning national security and press freedom experts to address this very question. We invite you to take part in this interactive session on Wed., January 21 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.:

"Government Transparency vs. National Security: Press Rights, Limits & Ideals in a Post-9/11 World"

Registration is required and is $5 for NPC members; $10 non-members. NPC members should login below for the discounted price.

Your direct engagement with thought leaders on this topic, drawn from the legal, academic, and media worlds, will help ensure a frank and meaningful conversation on how our democracy does and should balance public safety goals against its inherent need for an informed citizenry.

Confirmed panelists & moderator are:


  • ELLEN SHEARER, Co-Director of the National Security Journalism Initiative at Medill University and editor of “Whistleblowers, Leaks and the Media,” (ABA 2014).

  • HARVEY RISHIKOF, Chair of the Advisory Committee for the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security.

  • GEORGE JAMESON, former Senior Counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency and in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

  • COURTNEY RADSCH, PhD, Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists with more than 13 years of experience regarding press freedoms in the United States and Middle East.

  • RACHEL OSWALD, defense reporter for CQ, vice-chair of the National Press Club's Freedom of the Press Committee.

  • LISETTE GARCIA, founder of FOIA Resource Center, assisting lawmakers, journalists, and nonprofit organizations quickly and cost-effectively obtain government records in the public interest.


To submit questions in advance of the panel, email [email protected]. For live tweeting of the event, follow #safeorfree.

Please direct all media inquiries to Journalism Institute Director Julie Schoo at (202) 662-7507 or [email protected].