The Wall Street Journal left a gap on the front page of its Friday print edition to bring attention to the one-year milestone of its reporter Evan Gershkovich being detained in Russia.
The front page of the paper is mostly empty, with a headline that reads: “HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE.”
Gershkovich, the paper’s reporter based in Russia, was arrested during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich was accused of espionage and was detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service.
Part of the paper’s Friday coverage includes a letter written by his family, titled “It Has Felt Like Holding Our Breath.”
The family wrote in the letter: “Throughout all the challenges in this tumultuous time we’ve watched as Evan has faced this uncertainty, stuck in a small cell, with limited news of the world, without his freedom.” said “We have witnessed him handle this situation with dignity because he is innocent. He motivates us to persevere every day, especially on those days where we receive his letters and see his smile from the courtroom camera.”
“We have seen him confront this with his head held high because he is innocent. He encourages us to keep moving forward every day, particularly on those days when we receive his letters and see his smile from the courtroom camera.”
Emma Tucker, the paper’s editor-in-chief, also wrote a letter on Friday, pleading again for Gershkovich’s release and expressing hope that the Biden administration will help bring him back home.
“This one-year anniversary is a chance to show our admiration for our colleague and his family,” Tucker expressed. “It is a reminder of the risks facing journalists worldwide as they pursue their important mission. And it inspires us to continue the effort to ensure that this is the last milestone that Evan spends in prison.” wrote“This one-year anniversary is a chance to show our admiration for our colleague and his family,” Tucker expressed. “It is a reminder of the risks facing journalists worldwide as they pursue their important mission. And it inspires us to continue the effort to ensure that this is the last milestone that Evan spends in prison.”
President Biden also released a statement on Gershkovich Friday morning.
“Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter —risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine. Shortly after his wholly unjust and illegal detention, he drafted a letter to his family from prison, writing: ‘I am not losing hope,'” Biden said.
“As I have told Evan’s parents, I will never give up hope either. We will continue working every day to secure his release.”
Gershkovich, an American citizen, was charged with gathering state secrets of Russia’s military for the U.S. government. Press freedom groups, the U.S. government and his employer consider him wrongfully detained.
Earlier this week, his detention was extended to June 30. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Thursday that “absolute silence” is necessary for prisoner swaps, potentially including Gershkovich, to happen. extended Earlier this week, his detention was extended to June 30. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Thursday that “absolute silence” is necessary for prisoner swaps, potentially including Gershkovich, to happen. said Former Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva are also being held in Russia.
The Wall Street Journal left a gap on the front page of its Friday print edition to spotlight the one-year milestone of its reporter Evan Gershkovich being detained in Russia. The front page of the paper is mostly empty, with a headline that reads: “HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE.” Gershkovich, the paper’s…
