National Press Club Salutes Release of AP Photographer

To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Melinda Cooke of National Press Club, +1-202-662-7516

WASHINGTON, April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Sylvia Smith, president of the National Press Club, saluted the announcement Monday that the U.S. military will release AP photographer Bilal Hussein this week after more than two years in custody in Iraq.

“Journalists who risk their lives to report in dangerous areas of the world, particularly war zones, are the bravest members of our profession. Democracy can’t function without accurate information about the actions of the government,” she said.

“On behalf of the 3,700 members of the National Press Club, I commend the U.S. military for agreeing to release Hussein,” she said.

Hussein has been in custody for more than two years. Last week a judicial committee in Baghdad ordered his release, and on Sunday a panel dismissed the remaining criminal allegation against him and ordered his release.

Hussein was accused of having improper contact with insurgents who had killed an Italian citizen. He repeatedly insisted he was performing the work of a journalist in a war zone. His employer, The Associated Press, has said that a review of Hussein’s work and contacts found no evidence of any activities beyond the normal role of a news photographer.

The National Press Club is a membership organization dedicated to promoting excellence in journalism and protecting the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of press. Founded in 1908, it is the nation’s largest journalism association, and its 3,700 members span the globe.

SOURCE National Press Club

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