.svg)
Freedom Desk is The Washington Post’s global initiative to champion
press freedom and empower the next generation of news voices to deliver
trustworthy, high-impact reporting—especially where reliable information is most at risk.
Rooted in The Post’s longstanding commitment to press freedom, Freedom Desk carries forward the work launched in 2018 under the Press Freedom Partnership following the murder of contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was targeted for doing nothing more than his job: reporting the truth. That moment underscored a stark reality — when journalists are silenced, democracy itself is threatened.
Taking its name from the language of the newsroom, where a “desk” represents both a place of work and a shared mission, Freedom Desk extends beyond newsroom walls, uniting journalists and supporters who believe in transparency, accountability, and the right to know. It is a dedicated space for those who refuse to look away — where stories take shape, accountability begins, and the pursuit of truth never stops.
The Freedom Desk will bring together nearly 150 years of Washington Post experience to train and empower the next generation of journalists and creators. The goal is to fill growing information gaps around the world, especially where governments are cracking down on independent media.
We’ll be sharing more about Freedom Desk soon. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter to be among the first to hear what’s next.
Rooted in The Washington Post’s longstanding commitment to press freedom, Freedom Desk carries forward the work launched in 2018 under the Press Freedom Partnership following the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was targeted for doing nothing more than his job: reporting the truth. That moment underscored a stark reality — when journalists are silenced, democracy itself is threatened.
Taking its name from the language of the newsroom, where a “desk” represents both a place of work and a shared mission, Freedom Desk extends beyond newsroom walls, uniting journalists and supporters who believe in transparency, accountability, and the right to know. It is a dedicated space for those who refuse to look away — where stories take shape, accountability begins, and the pursuit of truth never stops.
Meet the Team
Jason Rezaian
Director of Press Freedom Initiatives
Jason Rezaian is the Director of Press Freedom Initiatives at The Post, where he works to promote global press freedom and advocate for the rights of journalists. From 2012 to 2016, he served as The Post’s Tehran Bureau Chief and was wrongfully detained by Iranian authorities for 544 days. He chronicled his harrowing experience in his memoir, “Prisoner”, and the podcast series “544 Days”.
Rezaian's career spans a diverse range of roles in journalism, including as a Global Opinion columnist at The Post from 2018 to 2024. He serves as the co-Executive Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention, and as Chair of the Advisory Board for the National Press Club’s Press Freedom Center.
A recognized leader in media and human rights, Rezaian was a 2017 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and a 2023 Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. In 2023, he received the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s Medal in Citizen Leadership for his dedication to press freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide.
Natali Freeling
Director, Impact Initiatives and Partnerships
Natali Freeling joined The Post in 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Impact Initiatives & Partnerships, where she helps lead press freedom advocacy efforts and other programs that advance the organization’s commitment to civic engagement and public service. In this role, she develops strategic partnerships and impact-driven initiatives that connect journalism to communities and global audiences. Before joining The Post, Freeling led marketing, operations, and global experiential initiatives that expanded audiences and deepened engagement for mission-driven storytelling organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, National Geographic, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
LIAM SCOTT
Press Freedom Content Strategist
Liam helps write The Post's newsletter on press freedom issues. He previously covered media and democracy as a reporter at Voice of America, where he was named a Livingston Award finalist for a series on transnational repression facing exiled Russian and Chinese journalists, and he won a National Press Club award for a story on a police raid on a Kansas newspaper. His work has also appeared in outlets including the Columbia Journalism Review, Vanity Fair, The Nation, Foreign Policy and Poynter. He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, where he studied international politics and served as executive editor of the student newspaper The Hoya. He can report in French and Mandarin. Signal: liamjscott.65
Contact us at freedomdesk@washpost.com
