National Press Club Mourns Loss of National Public Radio Employees in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the wake of the deaths Sunday in Afghanistan of a National Public Radio photographer and his translator, the National Press Club offered condolences to NPR staffers and the families of those killed.

The photographer, David Gilkey, and his Afghan translator, Zabihullah Tamanna, were killed on assignment in southern Afghanistan. They were traveling with an Afghan army unit when the convoy came under fire, NPR said. Their vehicle was struck by shell fire, and the two perished.

Gilkey was an award-winning photographer who took on dangerous assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and throughout the Middle East and Africa. Gilkey used his photography and video work to help the public better understand the hardships and humanity behind the headlines.

"The things to do were amazing and the places to see were epic," David once said of his work. "But the people, the people are what made it all worth the effort."

Before coming to NPR, Gilkey worked for the Detroit Free Press. He was named Still Photographer of the Year in 2011 by the White House Photographers Association. He also won a George Polk award in 2010, an Emmy in 2007 and dozens of other distinctions.

Marilyn Geewax, an NPR editor and vice chair of the National Press Club Board of Governors, said the deaths are a tragic reminder of the dangers facing journalists in so many places, courageous men and women who take on extreme risks to help us see and understand our world.

"David was all that a journalist should be: brave, committed and talented," Geewax said. "At NPR, our hearts are broken as we mourn the loss of David and Zabihullah. Rest in peace brothers."

The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. It is based in Washington, D.C.

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Contact: Marilyn Geewax: 202 513 2238; [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club