Associated Press President and CEO Gary Pruitt to Speak at National Press Club, June 19

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Jun 13, 2013, 05:06 ET

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gary Pruitt, president and chief executive officer of the Associated Press (AP), who has called on the President to "rein in" the Justice Department, will speak at the National Press Club Luncheon on June 19.

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Mr. Pruitt says the AP has felt an impact on its ability to gather news since the Justice Department seized AP phone records from more than 20 phone lines in four bureaus, as government officials now are more reluctant to talk with reporters. Pruitt, who is also a First Amendment lawyer, called the move "unconstitutional" and a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" of privacy.

In his NPC address, Mr. Pruitt will outline ways to protect newsgathering against government interference. Pruitt says he will fight for freedom of the press and the public's right to know while "aggressively using the Freedom of Information Act to advocate for transparency and accountability in government."

The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question and answer session, ending at 2 p.m. Advance reservations should be made through the NPC website. Tickets cost $21 for Press Club members (NPC members may buy two tickets at this price) and $35 for nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased online by clicking here. questions, please call 202-662-7501 or email [email protected]. Tickets must be paid for at the time of purchase.

National Press Club Luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter at @PressClub DC, using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at facebook.com/PressClubDC. Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. To email a question in advance, type PRUITT in the subject line and send to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on the day of the event.

The Press Club is on the 13^th floor, 529 14^th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Credentialed press may cover this event.

The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists with more than 3,300 members worldwide representing every major news organization. More than 250,000 people visit the Club each year to attend more than 2,000 events. The Club was founded in 1908 and is on the web at press.org.

CONTACT: Melinda Cooke, 202-662-7516 or [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club