Press Releases

Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club Responds to Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Shuttering of Operations

August 1, 2025

WASHINGTON, August 1 – The following is a statement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo, in response to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s announcement that it will begin shutting down operations following the elimination of federal funding: “Shuttering the Corporation for Public…

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One Year Ago Was Highpoint for Press Freedom Hostage Recovery

August 1, 2025

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 – The following statement is from Mike Balsamo, president of the National Press Club. “On Aug. 1 history was made as American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva joined their families on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. This was press freedom at its best. The U.S.…

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Press Freedom Center To Host All-Day Conference on Austin Tice Case on Aug. 14

July 25, 2025

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…

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Press Freedom Center Releases Statement on Dropped Charges Against Cincinnati CityBeat Journalists

July 24, 2025

WASHINGTON, July 24 — The following is a statement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo: “We are relieved that felony charges were dropped yesterday against two journalists from Cincinnati CityBeat: reporter Madeline Fening and photojournalism intern Lucas Griffith. They were arrested…

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National Press Club: Update on Appeal In Case of Journalist Dong Yuyu

July 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, July 18 – Following is an update on the case of Chinese Journalist Dong Yuyu, provided by his family. “After being sentenced to seven years in prison for espionage at the trial level in November, Dong has appealed his wrongful verdict to the Beijing High Court. The Beijing High Court…

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National Press Club: Public Media Cuts Undermine Access to Trusted News in Underserved Communities

July 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, July 18— National Press Club President Mike Balsamo issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting: “Congress just voted to silence trusted journalism in communities that need it most…

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Press Freedom Center Calls For Release of Palestinian Journalist Ali al-Samoudi

July 15, 2025

WASHINGTON, July 15 – The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club today called for the release of well-known Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi from Megiddo Prison in Israel.  Samoudi, 58, is being held on military administrative detention, which was recently extended by six months.…

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Statement from National Press Club President Mike Balsamo on the Passing of Past President Frank Aukofer

July 14, 2025

The National Press Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Frank Aukofer, our 1978 president and a beloved member of our community for more than five decades. A proud son of Milwaukee and longtime Washington bureau chief of the Milwaukee Journal, Frank was one of the most respected regional…

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News Advisory: Film Screening & Panel Discussion, "Who Killed Shireen?"

July 2, 2025

On Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 PM, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, in partnership with Zeteo Media, will host a special screening of the documentary, Who Killed Shireen? The film follows the investigation into the death of renowned Palestinian American reporter Shireen Abu Akleh…

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Media Tour on Attacks Against Journalists Covering US Protests

June 16, 2025

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-725-7787 or [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club News Advisory: What Satellite Media Tour (SMT) with Gabe Rottman, VP of Policy, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Bill McCarren, Director of the Press Freedom Center at the…

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