WGA East Statement on Evan Gershkovich
NEW YORK, NY (May 18, 2023) – The following is a statement from the Council of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) regarding Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on his 50th day of being detained by Russia:
“The Writers Guild of America, East unequivocally stands with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and calls on Russian authorities to immediately grant him freedom. The Russian government has a long history of silencing independent media outlets and dissenting voices, but this is the first time since the Cold War that it has arrested a U.S. journalist. No reporter, regardless of where they were born, should be imprisoned for taking on the noble and moral task of exposing the truth. This union joins media unions and organizations from around the world in demanding Russia free Evan Gershkovich and respect a free and fair press.”
The WGAE Council is made up of Michael Winship (President), Lisa Takeuchi Cullen (Vice President, Film/TV/Streaming), Sara David (Vice President, Online Media), Kathy McGee (Vice President, Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News), Christopher Kyle (Secretary Treasurer); Film/TV/Streaming members Monica Lee Bellais, Kaitlin Fontana, Gina Gionfriddo, Josh Gondelman, Tian Jun Gu, A.M. Homes, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Benjamin Rosenblum, Erica Saleh, Sasha Stewart, Tracey Scott Wilson; Online Media members Caitlin Cruz, Kim Kelly, Hamilton Nolan, Susan Rinkunas, Jessica Schulberg; and Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News members Justin Raffael DiLauro, Elizabeth Godvik, Gail Lee.
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST
The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in film, television, broadcast and streaming news, podcasts, and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit wgaeast.org.
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