When should government officials speak up? What happens if their leadership does not listen? Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman will share the lessons he learned and what ultimately drove him to come forward during the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The Press Freedom Defense Fund will host an important discussion on the ongoing challenges public servants face when raising concerns — and what needs to change. The exchange, hosted by veteran journalist and Fund Director James Risen, will focus on the obstacles that stand between transparency and truth in our government. Their conversation will also touch on the personal and professional costs of doing what’s right as a public servant.
The program is part of a series of conversations organized by the Fund and First Look Institute on the state of journalism and public debate around the world. Prior guests include Time magazine Person of the Year Maria Ressa, famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, and the Associated Press’s Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace, along with David Folkenflik and Ayesha Rascoe of NPR. For more information on these events and the work of First Look Institute, visit: firstlookinstitute.org.
Presented in partnership with The Intercept and the Georgetown University Department of Government.
SPEAKERS
Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, author, Here, Right Matters: An American Story
James Risen, director, Press Freedom Defense Fund and senior national security correspondent, The Intercept
Welcome remarks by Anthony Clark Arend, Professor of Government and Foreign Service and Chair of the Department of Government, Georgetown University
Introduction by Nabiha Syed, president, The Marker and member of the Press Freedom Defense Fund Advisory Committee
