National Press Club to Honor Imprisoned Chinese Journalist Dong Yuyu With President’s Award; Renews Call for His Release
WASHINGTON — The National Press Club announced today it will present its distinguished President’s Award for 2025 to Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu, a respected editor and columnist who has been imprisoned in Beijing since February 2022 after being convicted on espionage charges he is appealing.
“Journalism is not espionage. Dong Yuyu is being punished for his work and his words. We call on Chinese authorities to release him without delay and to end the practice of criminalizing normal newsgathering and professional contact with foreign colleagues,” said Mike Balsamo, President of the National Press Club.
Dong’s son, Yifu, will accept the award and deliver remarks at the Club’s Awards Dinner on August 27.
About Dong Yuyu
Dong is a veteran editor and columnist for a leading Chinese daily whose commentary focused on economics and reform. He championed international academic and professional exchange, including a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, and participated in programs in Japan. His writings have appeared on the Chinese-language site of The New York Times. He was three months from retirement when he was detained after a lunch with a Japanese diplomat in Beijing.
“Detaining a journalist for doing his job violates the most basic principles of press freedom and human rights. Every day Dong Yuyu spends in prison is a day that China distances itself further from international norms. We will not stop calling for his release,” Balsamo added.
About the President’s Award
The National Press Club President’s Award recognizes journalists who embody courage, integrity, and service to the public’s right to know.
About the National Press Club
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club, through its Press Freedom Center, is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.
Media interested in covering the Aug. 27 awards dinner should contact [email protected].
Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534, [email protected] for the National Press Club Center for Press Freedom