Washington Post, McClatchy leaders call for journalist Austin Tice’s freedom

Fred Ryan, publisher of The Washington Post, called for the immediate and safe release of freelance journalist Austin Tice at an Aug. 14 event at the National Press Club marking the sixth year since he was detained in Syria.

“The work of Austin Tice reminds us of the importance, impact and yes dangers of great reporting,” Ryan said at the event, which was cosponsored by the Club and Reporters Without Borders.

Tice, while embedded with Syrian rebels, had reported how a peaceful uprising turned into a rebel movement, Ryan said. Tice was last seen five weeks after his disappearance in a video showing him blindfolded by armed men.

Ryan noted that reporting such as Tice’s, in the current era of social media and the Internet, is more dangerous than previously because rebels and terrorists can get their messages out independently of journalists. Thus they no longer feel a need to protect journalists.

The greatest risk is to freelancers and local journalists, he said. The Washington Post, he added, has “ a moral obligation to support freelancers just as we do our own staff.”

Tim Grieve, vice president of news for McClatchy, answered a question from the audience, “Is Austin Tice still news?” with a resounding “Yes, please.”

He said McClatchy papers have been telling the free Austin Tice story all week, bringing it to communities all across the country.

Another speaker, Marc Tice, Austin’s father, said “the support of the media for one of their own is incredibly important.” Senior officials in the United States and other governments pay attention when they believe the American and other publics care, he said.

Club executive director Bill McCarren announced that Austin Tice and his parents will receive honorary memberships immediately, rather than upon his return, as has been the case with other detained journalists.

“You have a home here,” he told the parents.

Jack DeGioia, president of Georgetown University, where Austin Tice received his B.A. and was a law student when he was detained, said Tice provided a voice for those forgotten and left behind.

Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, reminded DeGioia of Austin’s graduation in 2002. All graduates have the opportunity to shake the university president’s hand, but Austin went further, picking DeGioia up and twirling him around, she said.

DeGioia told the audience that the picture of Austin lifting him is the only one not of his own family in his office.

Debra Tice emphasized that Austin went to Syria when there was still hope for reform. His photos, displayed in the during the room during the event, showed happy children in the beginning, but began to show wounded children and a picture of a woman carrying groceries in a bombed city, illustrating the deterioration of the situation, she said.

The digital version of Austin Tice’s photographic display will remain in the Club lobby through August.