WSJ’s Tucker: Gershkovich shows importance of free press

CNN’s Oliver Darcy interviewed Wall Street Journal editor in chief Emma Tucker and jailed Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Darcy writes, “‘What people can do is keep Evan front of mind because that keeps the pressure up on the governments involved, that this is a situation that is completely outrageous and needs to be resolved,’ Tucker told me.

“‘But the other thing I would say is, I think that it is really important for all of us … to remind people how important a free press is,’ Tucker added. ‘I think it’s something that sometimes gets taken for granted.’

“Tucker said that Gershkovich’s detention has not changed The Journal’s editorial stance on Russia, given the paper’s lengthy record of tough reporting on the country’s oppressive government. But she said it has certainly influenced her and the newspaper in other ways.

“‘It’s heightened the need to speak out not just about Evan and his particular plight, but the wider assault on the ability of journalists to be able to do their jobs,’ Tucker said. ‘It’s also made us think very hard about, not that we weren’t before, but you think about all your journalists in dangerous situations. Something like this does focus the mind.'”

Read more here.