This is journalist Austin Tice.


Austin has been held captive in Syria for 2199 days 14 hours 23 minutes 9 seconds

Austin is a home schooled, Eagle Scout, National Merit Finalist, graduate of Georgetown University, veteran Captain in the United States Marine Corps and recipient of the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, the 2012 McClatchy Newspapers President’s Award, and the 2015 National Press Club John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award.

Learn More About Austin


Austin has been held captive in Syria for 2199 days 14 hours 23 minutes 9 seconds

This is journalist Austin Tice.

Austin is a home schooled, Eagle Scout, National Merit Finalist, graduate of Georgetown University, veteran Captain in the United States Marine Corps and recipient of the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, the 2012 McClatchy Newspapers President’s Award, and the 2015 National Press Club John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award.

About Austin

In May of 2012, the summer before Austin’s final year at Georgetown Law School, he chose to go to Syria as a Freelance Journalist.  Austin went to Syria to tell the story of the ongoing conflict there, and its impact on the ordinary people of Syria.

In August 2012, he made his way just south of Damascus to file his final pieces.  He filed his last story and planned to leave to Lebanon August 14, three days after his 31st birthday.  We believe he got into a car but never made it to the border.

Instead, five weeks later, a 43-second video emerged unlike any other to emerge from a hostage case in Syria.  It showed Austin being held by a group of unidentified armed men.  No message accompanied the video, only the title, “Austin Tice is Alive”.  This is the only information we have received from his captors.  No one has contacted us to claim responsibility, because of this, we cannot say for certain who is holding him.  Most importantly, we and credible sources believe he is alive.

Our plea is simple:  We ask the United States government and the Syrian Arab Republic government to use every available resource to bring him safely home.

Contact Us

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support of Austin and our family.  It is these things, along with the dedicated work of many, many people, which are sustaining us, and which will, by the will of God, bring Austin safely home to us. Our plea is simple:  We ask the United States government and the Syrian Arab Republic government to use every available resource to bring him safely home.

If you have any information regarding Austin’s circumstances or well-being, please send us an email!

 

Recent News

August 14, 2018

Austin Tice: Children of Syria

Save the date – August 14: “Austin Tice: Children of Syria” photo exhibit at the National Press Club

August 14, Washington DC — In 2012, Austin Tice — a Georgetown University alumnus, freelance journalist, and veteran captain of the U.S. Marine Corps from Houston, Texas — traveled to Syria to report on the unfolding crisis for McClatchy News, The Washington Post, and other publications. He traveled extensively across the country covering various aspects of the Syrian conflict, earning a George Polk Award for War Reporting, a John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, and the McClatchy President’s Award for Journalism Excellence. Austin was detained at a checkpoint near Damascus on August 14, 2012 and is still being held in Syria.

Exactly six years after his capture, the National Press Club will host an opening reception for an exhibit featuring Austin’s photographs from Syria. This event will take place on Tuesday, August 14th from 6pm – 8pm at the Club’s Holeman Lounge.

Event Details: “Austin Tice: Children of Syria”
Location: National Press Club — 529 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20045
When: Tuesday, August 14 — doors at 6pm, remarks at 6:30. Event ends at 8pm.

Speakers
Bill McCarren – Executive Director, National Press Club

Fred Ryan – Publisher and CEO, The Washington Post

Tim Grieve – Vice President of News, McClatchy

Jack DeGioia – President, Georgetown University

Margaux Ewen – North America Director, Reporters Without Borders

Marc and Debra Tice – Parents of Austin Tice

To RSVP, please contact:
Noni Ghani
North America Communications Officer
Reporters Without Borders, US Office
Office phone: 202.204.5554