Press Freedom Center To Host All-Day Conference on Austin Tice Case on Aug. 14
News Advisory
What
A full-day conference examining new developments in the past year in Austin’s
case in government, media, and intelligence.
Who
Leaders in domestic and foreign government, journalism and academia, as well as the Tice family, will help attendees understand what has happened in Syria over the past year and how that has changed the United States’ regional policies and decisions, and therefore the United States’ strategy towards freeing Austin.
When
Thursday, August 14 (13 years since the day of Austin’s abduction in Syria).
Programs begin at 9:00am and conclude at 5:00pm. The full schedule is below.
Why
The National Press Club and Press Freedom Center annually mark the day of
Austin Tice’s abduction to keep his case at the forefront of public attention and to
maintain pressure on those with the power to bring him home. This longstanding effort is carried out in close partnership with the Tice family, who use this moment each year to reflect on what has passed and prepare for what lies ahead.
These commemorations have taken many forms, from intimate gatherings to panel discussions. Until now, however, the Press Club and its Press Freedom Center have never convened a full-day conference dedicated solely to Austin’s case. That was due in large part to the limited availability of reliable public information.
Following the fall of Damascus in late 2024, the landscape changed. New details about Austin’s case have come to light, offering the public a more complete understanding than ever before. At the same time, a parallel surge of misinformation and disinformation has emerged, threatening to obscure the truth. This year’s event is designed to confront that head-on, to clarify what is known, and to challenge the false narratives that continue to circulate.
RSVP and Details
Tickets cost $35 per person and will support the Press Freedom Center. Tickets include coffee, a light breakfast, and lunch.
You can RSVP at this Eventbrite link.
We welcome your support if you wish to provide sponsorship for the event; if interested, please email [email protected].
Partners
Initial partners for this project, alongside the Tice family and the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, include:
- Hostage Aid
- The National Press Club
- The Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership
Itinerary
9-9:30am: Coffee and light breakfast
9:30-10:30am: Plenary Session
- Speakers: Debra Tice and Bill McCarren
10:30-11:30am: What has happened in Syria since the fall of Assad and how has that
impacted Austin's situation?
- Speakers: Nizar Zakka (Hostage Aid), David Lesch, others TBD
12-12:30pm: Keynote address by a senior government official
12:30-2pm: Piecing together Austin’s story through declassified information
- Speakers: Debra Tice, others TBD
2-3:30pm: Who is Bassam Hassan?
- Speakers: Bill McCarren, others TBD
3:30- 4:45pm: Journalism and Austin Tice
- Speakers: Gareth Browne (The Economist), Sonia Smith (Texas Monthly), and
other journalists to come
- Moderated by Bill McCarren
4:45pm: Summary of the day's findings and conclusion
5-6pm: Cocktail reception
About the Press Freedom Center at The National Press Club
Founded in November 2024, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club advocates for journalists who are wrongfully detained, killed, beaten, subject to lawfare or driven from their country. When those journalists attempt to settle or resettle in the United States, the Center provides support to assist them in reestablishing their lives and careers.
About the The National Press Club
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. With 2500 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club and its Press Freedom Center are outspoken on press freedom issues in the U.S. and worldwide.