#United States #National Press Club #Press Freedom Center #Washington D.C. #Austin Tice

Press Freedom Center's Annual Conference on Austin Tice's Case

On August 14, 2025, the Press Freedom Center in collaboration with the National Press Club will host a comprehensive conference to discuss the latest developments in the case of Austin Tice. This event marks thirteen years since Tice's abduction in Syria, and aims to shed light on what has transpired in the political and media landscape regarding his case.

Who will be attending?

The conference will feature numerous prominent figures including leaders from the government, academic experts, journalists, and family members of Austin Tice. Their collective insights will help attendees to gain a clearer understanding of how the events in Syria over the past year have influenced U.S. policies in the region, particularly with respect to efforts aimed at securing Tice's release.

Purpose of the Event

The Press Freedom Center and National Press Club are committed to keeping Austin's story alive in public discourse. They aim to maintain pressure on authorities to take action to bring him home. Each year, the Tice family commemorates this day not only as a somber reminder of their loss but also as a moment of hope and reflection on the fight for media freedom.

An Important Shift

In previous years, the lack of reliable information about Tice's situation made it challenging to organize such an extensive event. However, following significant changes in the geopolitical landscape after the fall of Damascus in late 2024, more details about Austin’s case have emerged. The knowledge gap surrounding his situation is gradually closing, but misinformation and disinformation about his abduction continue to circulate. Thus, this year's conference aims to clarify the facts and counteract the misleading narratives.

Event Schedule

The conference will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Here’s a brief overview of the itinerary:

• - 9:00 - 9:30 AM: Coffee and Light Breakfast
• - 9:30 - 10:30 AM: Plenary Session with Debra Tice and Bill McCarren discussing the current state of affairs in Austin's case.
• - 10:30 - 11:30 AM: Panel on Syria: Understanding the implications of the Assad regime's fall on Austin's case, featuring Nizar Zakka from Hostage Aid and David Lesch.
• - 12:00 - 12:30 PM: Keynote Address by a high-ranking government official.
• - 12:30 - 2:00 PM: Discussion on Austin's story incorporating declassified information led by Debra Tice.
• - 2:00 - 3:30 PM: Who is Bassam Hassan?: Investigating pivotal information related to Austin's case.
• - 3:30 - 4:45 PM: The Role of Journalism: A panel of journalists including Gareth Browne from The Economist discussing Austin’s connection to the media's role in his case.
• - 4:45 - 5:00 PM: Summary and Conclusions of the day.
• - 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Cocktail Reception for networking and discussion.

Support and Tickets

Tickets for the event are priced at $35, which includes breakfast and lunch, with proceeds going towards the Press Freedom Center’s initiatives. To confirm attendance, interested participants can RSVP through an Eventbrite link provided by the Press Freedom Center.

In conclusion, this is a critical opportunity for advocates of press freedom and those concerned about the plight of detainees like Austin Tice. The conference is expected to not only educate attendees but also galvanize further support for those working tirelessly to ensure justice and accountability in journalism.

For more details regarding sponsorship or inquiries, reach out to Bill McCarren at the Press Freedom Center.