Press Freedom Center

Follow Press Freedom Center

 

Reach out to the team at [email protected]

Journalists in the United States and around the world face growing threats, from intimidation and legal pressure to detention, violence and displacement, simply for doing their jobs.

The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club exists to defend the First Amendment and support journalists facing risk because of their work. We stand for the principle that a free and independent press is essential to democracy and the public’s right to know.

We provide emergency assistance to journalists in crisis, support reporters navigating threats, detention, legal pressure, and retaliation, and connect journalists to trusted safety, legal and support resources when they needed help most. Our work often happens quietly and urgently. We are focused on helping journalists remain safe, continue their work, or secure the basic necessities of life.

At the same time, we advocate forcefully to defend First Amendment protections and press access across the United States, engaging with government and institutional leaders when laws, policies or actions threaten a free and independent press. We work to identify and challenge efforts that restrict journalists’ ability to report freely and to ensure accountability, transparency, and respect for press rights at every level.

The Press Freedom Center acts through direct assistance, advocacy, and community, responding when journalists are threatened, attacked, detained, or displaced, and standing with them as they face the personal and professional consequences of their reporting.

This mission is bigger than any one individual, moment, or challenge. It reflects the National Press Club’s long-standing role as a defender of press freedom.

Providing support to journalists in urgent or dire need is a core mission of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club. 

The Center’s Emergency Assistance Program provides short-term financial support to journalists and media workers located in the United States who have experienced threats, attacks, imprisonment, or other serious incidents directly related to their journalistic work. Funds may be used solely for the purpose of securing the necessities of life, such as food, housing, healthcare, or clothing. 

To apply for financial support, please complete this form and email it to [email protected]. All information shared is kept strictly confidential.

Please note that this Press Freedom Center program does not provide funding for:

• Journalists not directly affected by an incident related to their journalism
• General financial hardships unrelated to journalism
• Needs outside of the necessities of life: such as food, housing, healthcare, or clothing
• Long-term resettlement

U.S. citizens and noncitizens located in the United States are eligible to receive financial assistance.

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we prioritize urgent cases involving journalists facing immediate threats, detention, legal action, or other critical press freedom violations. While we strive to support as many cases as possible, we may not be able to respond to every request.

For decades, the National Press Club has been a leading champion for press freedom and a resource for reporters in danger. These efforts have ramped up in recent years with the wrongful detention of American journalists Austin Tice, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva.

In each case, we worked with families and news organizations to advocate for the journalist and put a spotlight on the need for their safe return home. Through relationships with key government officials in the White House, Congress and the State Department, we kept the pressure on to bring reporters home. And once journalists are home safe, the Club stays with them each step of the way, including help with jobs, mental health, housing, legal assistance, transportation. In addition, the Club’s 2,500 members provide a welcoming community.

The Club also provides critical assistance and long-term support for journalists who have been exiled or forced to leave their home countries and have come to the U.S. This includes assistance in housing, job and fellowship opportunities, legal assistance and community.

In a world where press freedom is under attack, the Center is a beacon of hope and action.

With your donation, we can do even more. Your support helps us expand our efforts to protect journalists both in America and across the world. Together, we can defend the free press and create a future where journalists can work safely and thrive.

Join us in this vital cause. Donate today and stand up for press freedom.

November 18 - Son of jailed Chinese journalist urges Japan, U.S. to seek his release
Kyodo News

October 19 - Pentagon press confronts new reality of Trump era: Being banned from the Pentagon
The Washington Post

October 14 - Responsible Reporting on Hostage Cases
Center for Strategic and International Studies