Updated Schedule for Press Freedom Center Full Day Conference on Austin Tice Case on Aug. 14

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2025

NEWS ADVISORY:

WHAT: On August 14, the Press Freedom Center will host a full-day conference examining new developments in the past year in Austin's case in government, media, and intelligence. Below is an updated itinerary with information on events and speakers.

RSVP AND DETAILS: Tickets cost $35 per person and will support the Press Freedom Center. Tickets include coffee, a light breakfast, and lunch.

PARTNERS: Partners for this project, alongside the Tice family and the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, include:

Hostage Aid Reporters Without Borders The Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership The National Press Club

EVENT ITINERARY:

9-930: Coffee and light breakfast.

9:30-1030: Plenary Session with Debra Tice.

10:30-1130: What has happened in Syria since the fall of Assad and how has that impacted Austin's situation? With Eva Filipi (former Czech Ambassador to Damascus, via Zoom); Nizar Zakka (President of Hostage Aid, via Zoom); David Lesch (writer and professor) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

12-12:30pm: Keynote address by a senior government official.

12:30-2pm: Piecing together Austin's story through declassified information. With Debra Tice, Erik Sunde, and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

2-330: Who is Bassam Hassan? With Nizar Zakka (via Zoom) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren.

3:30- 4:45: Journalism and Austin Tice. With Clarissa Ward (CNN), Gareth Browne (The Economist, via Zoom), Sonia Smith (Texas Monthly), and Josh Baker (BBC). Moderated by Bill McCarren.

4:45: Summary of the day's findings and conclusion.

5-6: Cocktail reception

Founded in November 2024, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club advocates for journalists who are wrongfully detained, killed, beaten, subject to lawfare or driven from their country. When those journalists attempt to settle or resettle in the United States, the Center provides support to assist them in reestablishing their lives and careers.

Contact: Bill McCarren 202-662-7534 or for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club