NAB Celebrates Release Of WSJ’s Gershkovich

• The big news on Thursday was the coordinated release of at least two dozen people in the largest prisoner exchange since the height of the Cold War. Among those released in the exchange between the U.S., Russia, Germany and four other countries was Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal, who was wrongfully detained in March 2023 by Russia’s Federal Security Service in the city of Yekaterinburg and accused of espionage. In July, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

In response to the release of Gershkovich, NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt released the following statement: “Broadcasters celebrate the long overdue release of journalist Evan Gershkovich, and share in the relief felt by his family, friends and Wall Street Journal colleagues. We commend the efforts of those who worked to secure his freedom and the unwavering support from journalists worldwide who have continued to tell Evan’s story over the past 16 months.

Evan was wrongfully detained for simply doing his job: reporting the news. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of journalism and the First Amendment. No journalist should face violence, fear, intimidation or detainment for their commitment to keeping the public informed.”