Updated Schedule for Press Freedom Center Full Day Conference on Austin Tice Case on Aug. 14

News Advisory

What
On August 14, the Press Freedom Center will host a full-day conference examining new developments in the past year in Austin’s case in government, media, and intelligence. Below is an updated itinerary with information on events and speakers.

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
• Reporters Without Borders
• The National Press Club
• The Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership

Itinerary
9-9:30am: Coffee and light breakfast.

9:30-10:30am: Plenary Session with Debra Tice.

10:30-11:30am: What has happened in Syria since the fall of Assad and how has that impacted Austin's situation? With Eva Filipi (former Czech Ambassador to Damascus, via Zoom); Nizar Zakka (President of Hostage Aid, via Zoom); David Lesch (writer and professor) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

12-12:30pm: Keynote address by a senior government official.

12:30-2pm: Piecing together Austin’s story through declassified information. With Debra Tice, Erik Sunde, and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

2-3:30pm: Who is Bassam Hassan? With Nizar Zakka (via Zoom) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

3:30- 4:45pm: Journalism and Austin Tice. With Clarissa Ward (CNN), Gareth Browne (The Economist, via Zoom), Sonia Smith (Texas Monthly), and Josh Baker (BBC). 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.