In an unprecedented move, the publishers and top editors of the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and New York Times will run a joint letter as a full-page color advertisement in all three of their papers on Thursday. The purpose is to urge support from President Joe Biden's administration in fighting for the release of reporter Evan Gershkovich from a Russian prison.
The ad features signatures by top executives and editors at each publication. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal has been running an awareness campaign alongside this effort. According to Axios who first reported on this development, the letter calls for Gerskovich's immediate release with support from President Biden and White House officials.
"The unjust arrest of any reporter anywhere in the world is simply unacceptable," states the joint letter published across these major newspapers.
Evan Gershkovich has been detained since last month under spying allegations that both his employers at The Wall Street Journal - where he works as a Moscow-based correspondent - and U.S. government have categorically denied.
This plea comes after high-profile efforts led to securing women’s basketball star Brittney Griner’s release earlier this year following her detainment in Russia over alleged drug charges.
A spokesperson for The New York Times confirmed details about running the joint letter while speaking with The Hill: "Our colleagues deserve every possible expression of solidarity against authoritarian governments that seek only to control information."
It remains unclear how receptive or involved President Biden might be towards bringing home another American citizen detained overseas; however, it stands evident that media giants are willing to use their collective power when it comes down to protecting journalists worldwide – sending out strong messages against unjust incarceration stemming from governmental oppression.