NPR Establishes David Gilkey and Zabihullah Tamanna Memorial Fund

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will provide the lead gift to launch the fund in support of NPR's visual journalism and international coverage

Sept. 20, 2016; Washington, D.C. – NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn announced today at the Public Radio Program Directors Association's annual conference in Phoenix, the creation of The David Gilkey and Zabihullah Tamanna Memorial Fund for International Coverage and Photojournalism with an inaugural gift of $400,000 from CPB to underwrite equipment, training and support for international coverage and video journalism at NPR.

The David Gilkey and ZabihullahTamanna Memorial Fund will support the work of international journalists and photojournalists, security and safety measures, and training for the next generation of war correspondents. The fund has been created in remembrance of these two journalists' remarkable work and their dedication to international storytelling.

"Reporting on global events is a difficult and often dangerous undertaking—a truth both David and Zabi knew well. Their lives, their work and their commitment to follow a story in a place where few others were willing to go also reminds us of NPR's mission to provide in-depth and comprehensive storytelling, wherever that story may be," said Mohn. "NPR remains as committed to covering world events, as we are dedicated to doing everything possible to prepare, protect and support our staff who risk everything to capture the stories that inform our world."

"CPB is honored to remember these two brave and talented journalists, David Gilkey and Zabihullah Tamanna, through a grant to NPR in their names," said Pat Harrison, CPB's president and CEO. "The funds supporting NPRs international coverage and video journalism will be just part of their lasting legacy to the important reporting by our public media colleagues."

On June 5, 2016, NPR photojournalist David Gilkey and fellow journalist, photographer and translator Zabihullah (Zabi) Tamanna were killed while on assignment in southern Afghanistan. NPR's international reporters frequently put themselves in danger to bring home important stories, with universal significance, that help listeners see beyond the headlines and encounter the humanity in others. NPR maintains 17 international bureaus with more than 20 roaming correspondents, at a time when other news organizations have reduced international coverage.

The David Gilkey and Zabihullah Tamanna Memorial Fund will help NPR remain agile and able to respond to global breaking news stories with both audio and photojournalism coverage, while tracking worldwide themes and trends. Support of the Fund will catalyze NPR's long-term dedication to following news events around the globe, while remembering Gilkey, Tamanna and journalists like them who risk their lives fulfilling NPR's mission to create a more informed public.

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