National Press Club Calls on Chinese Authorities to Release Dong Yuyu

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 – National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today issued the following statement calling on the Chinese authorities to release Dong Yuyu.

"Today marks three years since the unjust detention of journalist Dong Yuyu. The National Press Club once again calls on the Chinese government to release him immediately and without conditions.

Dong Yuyu is not a threat — he is a voice of truth. Journalism is not espionage; it is a public service.

For three long years, Dong has endured separation from his family, cut off from even a phone call. Now he faces an additional four years behind bars — an unconscionable sentence for someone whose only ‘crime’ is seeking and reporting facts. The government’s case remains baseless, with no credible evidence presented.

Every day Dong Yuyu remains in prison is a day the truth is silenced. We urge Chinese authorities to reverse this grave injustice at once and release Dong Yuyu now, allowing him to return home to his family.

A free and independent press is vital to any society that aspires to justice and prosperity. By imprisoning Dong, the Chinese authorities turn their backs on those shared ideals and send a chilling message to every journalist.

We stand with Dong and his family, and we will continue to speak out until he is reunited with his loved ones. We urge the Chinese government to do the right thing without delay."

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 2,500 members representing nearly every major journalism organization. The Club and its Center for Press Freedom are leading voices for press freedom matters in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club