TODAY AT 10:30AM EST: U.S. Special Presidential Envoy For Hostage Affairs Robert C. O'Brien Joins National Press Club and Free Austin Tice Coalition for Briefing; New "Night-Out" Initiative Intends to Double Reward for Information That Leads To Journalist's Safe Return

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In April of this year the FBI offered a reward of $1 million for information that leads to the safe return of Austin Tice, a journalist who was taken in August 2012 while covering the conflict in Syria. In an effort to intensify the search for Tice, a coalition has formed that plans to double the reward money for actionable information through a program that can work in every community in the country. 

Background:

Robert O'Brien will give his first public remarks about US efforts to release Austin Tice since being named U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

Marc and Debra Tice will discuss their ongoing efforts to secure Austin's safe return, including their upcoming trip to the region and request for a Syrian visa.

The National Press Club, along with other Free Austin Tice Coalition partners, is organizing a project called "Night Out For Austin Tice" where restaurants across the city and around the country will agree to contribute a portion of their proceeds from the evening on Thursday, May 2, 2019 to a fund that will be used as a reward for information leading to the safe return of journalist Austin Tice. May 2 is the evening before World Press Freedom Day. The fund will be kept at the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's 501c-3. The goal of "Night Out For Austin Tice" is to raise $1 million to match the FBI reward and for Austin's safe return to society.    

The "Night Out" concept is frequently used by schools and other community institutions to raise funds while having a fun night with families and classmates participating together for a good cause. There is often an educational component to "Night Out" activities – and there will be one in this case as well.

Austin worked as a freelance journalist for the Washington Post and McClatchy, where his coverage as part of a team reporting on Syria, received a George Polk Award. Both news organizations have a commitment to securing his release.

Tice is a graduate of Georgetown University and had just finished his 2^nd year of law school when he went to Syria to report on the conflict there. Georgetown students and leadership have been active in volunteering time and energy to work on projects related to Austin's safe return.

Reporters Without Borders has played a leading role advocating for Austin's release through creative programs including an ad campaign on more than 260 US media websites produced by advertising giant JWT.  

In 2015 the National Press Club honored Austin Tice with the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award. The Club, through its Journalism Institute, advocates for Press Freedom worldwide including the case of Jason Rezaian and the ongoing case of Emilio Gutierrez-Soto. 

The National Press Club and its partners plan to hold regular updates to discuss the number of restaurants added and how the project is progressing in different markets. In each participating restaurant, the partners will provide collateral materials that describe Austin and his background as an Eagle Scout, GU law student, USMC Veteran and award-winning journalist to help Americans better understand who journalists are and the kinds of danger they sometimes face to keep the public informed.      

PRESS CONTACT: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club