Nova Spier
Hundreds run the extra mile to bring detained journalists home
18 November 2023, Nova Spier, Washington D.C. - Broadcast News Reporting class at George Washington University
Hundreds participated in the third annual ‘Run For Austin Virtual 5K’. Not to enjoy the weather or to improve their health but to bring two American detained journalists back home: Austin Tice and Evan Gershovich.
According to Kate Helster, one of the organizers, people joined from 16 states and internationally – but it is hard to give an exact number of participants due to the runs’ virtual nature. “Many people we know ran and supported this run didn’t necessarily register through the website like we wanted them to.”
The story continues underneath the video.
Still, this year’s event raised over eight thousand dollars, with $4.000 in donations and $4.160 in race fees. A part of this money went directly into the Austin Tice fund. The fund adds to an FBI reward for information that leads to the safe return of the journalist, or in case no reward is given to help him transition back to his life once he returns. A small portion supports his family’s travel and advocacy efforts.
Raising money was not the only goal, explains participant and president of the National Press Club Eileen O’Reilly: “The more people who get to know what is going on with Austin Tice and other American journalists overseas who are detained unjustly, the better. We just have to get that awareness out there so we can get them home safely and soundly.”
Austin Tice is one of three American journalists detained abroad. The marine combat veteran went to Syria in May 2012 as a freelance journalist. Before he started his final year at Georgetown Law School, the (at that time) 30-year-old wanted to tell the story of the ongoing conflict in Syria and the people impacted. He has won awards for his reports there but has not got the chance to accept them. He was detained on August 14 of the same year. After more than 11 years and three months, he has endured the longest detention of any U.S. journalist to date. His family and the government have reasons to believe he is still alive.
This year was the first time the run also raised awareness for another American journalist, Evan Gershovich from the Wall Street Journal, who has been detained in Russia since March 29. The 32-year-old was accused of espionage during a reporting trip in the country. The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government deny these allegations, but Gershovich is yet to face trial.
After the registration for the run started, a third American journalist, Alsu Kurmasheva, was detained. The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor got arrested in Russia on October 18 during a visit to her mother on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent.
Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, participated in the run in Houston, Texas. She explained why she thinks keeping the spotlight on these journalists is crucial: “They are detained for working as journalists, and neither of them has committed any crimes. They have international protection that are being ignored.”
“Any time a reporter can be held like that, it creates a danger for all reporters in all countries,” urges participant and chair of the National Press Club Mark Schoeff Jr. “It diminishes the idea that journalism is something that has to be protected and elevated.”
Below, you can find an Instagram Reel to promote the story and some stills from the video.
