Evan Gershkovich In Absentia Awarded NPF Chairman's Citation

Evan Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal reporter held in a Russian prison since March 29, 2023 was honored at the National Press Foundation's annual awards dinner February 15, 2024. Accepting Gershkovich's NPF Chairman's Citation on his behalf was colleague and assistant editor at Journal Paul Beckett.

“The National Press Foundation supports the cause of a free press. Evan Gershkovich‘s detention is a wrongful act against the fundamentals of journalism, and his prompt release is imperative for upholding journalistic freedom,” said NPF Chairman Amos Snead.

Gershkovich was arrested while on a reporting trip on March 29, 2023, and charged with espionage, which Gershkovich, the United States and The Wall Street Journal deny.

The Chairman’s Citation is awarded at the sole discretion of the National Press Foundation chair of the board of directors. It recognizes individuals whose accomplishments fall outside the traditional categories of excellence but who nevertheless have a profound impact on journalism.

Previous winners include Mo News founder Mosheh Oinounou, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, Report for America co-founders Charles Sennott and Steve Waldman and the late two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anthony Shadid.

“We are honored to accept this citation on Evan’s behalf and appreciate the recognition from the National Press Foundation for his work. We look forward to having him back with his family and back in the newsroom,” said Paul Beckett, The Wall Street Journal’s assistant editor.

Gershkovich is one of hundreds of journalists imprisoned around the world, and the National Press Foundation is proud and humbled to recognize him and others who are doing their jobs at one of the most dangerous times in history.

NPF is solely responsible for the content. This video was produced within the Evelyn Y. Davis studios.