Debra Tice is the mother of detained journalist Austin Tice. Unjustly detained in Syria since August 2012, Austin Tice is a freelance journalist who worked for both McClatchy and The Washington Post. Debra Tice, who spent 83 days in Syria looking for her son, has been advocating for his release for 11 years.
Why Are They Not Home?
Why Are They Not Home?; Challenges Faced By US Government In Resolving Journalist Hostage Cases
marking the 11th anniversary of the abduction of journalist Austin Tice
Aug 14 2023
WHEN:
Aug 14, 2023 at 9:30am
WHERE:
Holeman Lounge
CONTACT INFO:
Cecily Scott Martin
MORE INFO:
Breakfast
Held in Syria 11 years, Austin Tice is the longest-tenured U.S. hostage. Almost twice as long as Terry Anderson of the Associated Press was held. At this 11th anniversary, we consider why journalists are so often held the longest or suffer fates like those of Jamal Khashoggi and Shireen Abu Akleh? In light of new hostage cases like that of Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal, we are compelled to look at the approach and results of the USG in these cases.
In this panel we will try to discover what are the special challenges government encounters when the hostage is a journalist and if there are ways to work around these issues or best practices that should be deployed.
It is honestly hard to find a recent government success story when it comes to freeing journalist hostages. Possibly the Danny Fenster case would be one -- but the person who did the most to free Danny was explicitly told by the government not to do what he did. If left to the government, Danny might still be in prison. Jason Rezaian at 544 days was the best example of a successful case we have. This is grim news for Evan and any future journalists taken.
When a journalist is taken hostage, it deprives citizens from the information they need to participate in a functioning democracy. And when a hostage is held for 11 years it makes the government look incredibly weak and disorganized and limits their ability to project power.
The panel will begin with Debra Tice who will share her thoughts on this day about Austin’s case. This event is open coverage for credentialed journalists. Those who cannot attend in person may view the livestream here.
Special thanks to the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal for their support of this event.
Join us ahead of the event at 9 a.m. for breakfast provided by the National Press Club.
Jason Rezaian is a writer for Global Opinions. He served as The Post's correspondent in Tehran from 2012 to 2016. He spent 544 days unjustly imprisoned by Iranian authorities until his release in January 2016. He is a CNN contributor.
Paul Beckett is the Washington bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal. Their journalist Evan Gershkovich was unjustly detained by Russia in March. President Biden and news organizations around the world have joined the Journal in calling for Mr. Gershkovich’s immediate release.
Sonia Smith is a writer-at-large for Texas Monthly and has covered Austin's case extensively.