Press Freedom
National Press Club Statement on President Trump’s Remarks on the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
November 18, 2025
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 – The National Press Club is deeply troubled by President Trump’s comments today regarding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr. Khashoggi’s murder inside a diplomatic facility was a grave violation of human rights and a direct attack on press freedom. That fact is not…
Read MoreNew exhibit highlights press freedom values at the core of Pentagon press corps walkout
November 14, 2025
The National Press Club has opened a new library exhibit honoring the Pentagon press corps — a group of journalists whose work is essential to the country’s understanding of its military and national security decisions. On Oct. 15, dozens of credentialed reporters were ordered to surrender their…
Read MorePress Club Statement on Chinese Court Denial of Appeal in Dong Yuyu Case
November 13, 2025
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 – The following statement is from Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club. “The National Press Club sharply condemns the decision by the Beijing High Court to uphold the seven-year sentence against journalist Dong Yuyu. By refusing to address the central issues raised…
Read MoreNational Press Club honors imprisoned USAGM journalists with its highest press freedom award
November 1, 2025
The National Press Club will award its 2025 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award to a group of nine journalists affiliated with the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) who remain imprisoned abroad following the agency’s dismantling earlier this year. The Club’s Board of Directors agreed the honor is…
Read MoreNational Press Club Warns Pentagon Move to Strip Reporter Access Strikes at the Heart of Press Freedom
October 15, 2025
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2025 — National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today issued a statement on new restrictions that forced dozens of Pentagon journalists to surrender their credentials: “The National Press Club condemns the Pentagon’s unprecedented move to strip dozens of journalists of access…
Read MoreNational Press Club Statement on Dong Yuyu’s Appeal Extension
October 10, 2025
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 – Following is a statement from Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club: “We understand from the family of Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu that the deadline for the Beijing High Court ruling on his appeal has again been extended from Oct.13, 2025 to January 13, 2026. This…
Read MoreStatement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo on the Deportation of Journalist Mario Guevara
October 3, 2025
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 – The National Press Club is deeply concerned about the removal of journalist Mario Guevara and the chilling signal it sends to those who report in the United States. When reporters fear that telling the truth could lead to deportation, press freedom is under threat. Freedom of…
Read MoreLearn about Club Press Freedom Center at reception Oct. 7
September 20, 2025
The National Press Club’s Press Freedom Team will host its first of a new, recurring series of Cocktails and Conversations gatherings on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Alsu Kurmasheva The event will feature remarks from formerly detained journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who spent nearly a year in Russian…
Read MoreNational Press Club Statement on Pentagon Restrictions That Threaten Independent Reporting
September 19, 2025
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 — National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today released the following statement on the Pentagon’s new pledge requirement for reporters: “The Pentagon is now demanding that journalists sign a pledge not to obtain or report any information — even if unclassified — unless it…
Read MoreNational Press Club Calls on DHS to Withdraw Journalist Visa Proposal
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, September 17-- The National Press Club today urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would sharply restrict the ability of foreign correspondents to live and work in the United States. The proposal would replace the long-standing “duration of…
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