Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who has been wrongfully detained by Russia for nearly a year, was honored at NPF’s 2024 awards dinner with the National Press Foundation’s Chairman’s Citation.

“The National Press Foundation supports the cause of a free press. Evan Gershkovich‘s detention is a wrongful act against the fundamentals of journalism, and his prompt release is imperative for upholding journalistic freedom,” said NPF Chairman Amos Snead.

Gershkovich was arrested while on a reporting trip on March 29, 2023, and charged with espionage, which Gershkovich, the United States and The Wall Street Journal deny.

Wall Street Journal Assistant Editor Paul Beckett accepted the award on Gershkovich’s behalf at NPF’s 2024 Awards Dinner on Feb. 15 at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

The Chairman’s Citation is awarded at the sole discretion of the National Press Foundation chair of the board of directors. It recognizes individuals whose accomplishments fall outside the traditional categories of excellence but who nevertheless have a profound impact on journalism.

Previous winners include Mo News founder Mosheh Oinounou, CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, Report for America co-founders Charles Sennott and Steve Waldman and the late two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Anthony Shadid.

“We are honored to accept this citation on Evan’s behalf and appreciate the recognition from the National Press Foundation for his work. We look forward to having him back with his family and back in the newsroom,” said Paul Beckett, The Wall Street Journal’s assistant editor.

Gershkovich is one of hundreds of journalists imprisoned around the world, and the National Press Foundation is proud and humbled to recognize him and others who are doing their jobs at one of the most dangerous times in history.