World Press Freedom Day

The Youngstown Press Club will observe World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by reading the names of journalists killed during the past year while practicing their profession. The event, which is part of a worldwide recognition, will begin at noon at St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave.

The year 2022 marked a notable decline in journalists’ safety worldwide, with 67 journalists and media workers killed in connection with their occupations, compared to 45 in 2021. Last year’s death toll was the highest since 2018, according to the annual report of the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent non-profit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide.

Those reading the names in the Youngstown observance will be:
+ Ernie Brown, retired Vindicator regional editor and a Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame honoree;
+ George Denney, retired Youngstown Municipal Court administrator and former Tribune Chronicle and Vindicator reporter;
+ Dr. Adam Earnheardt, professor of communication at Youngstown State University, and Youngstown Press Club treasurer;
+ Lori Factor, director of communications for Potential Development School for Students with Autism, and Youngstown Press Club president-elect;
+ India Gatts, a YSU student majoring in English and history;
+ JoAnn Kolarik, WFMJ/TV account executive;
+ Brenda Linert, editor of the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator, and a Youngstown Press Club board of governors member;
+ George Nelson, deputy managing editor of The Business Journal, and Youngstown Press Club president;
+ Chelsea Simeon, digital executive producer at WKBN-TV;
+ Chris Travers, Mahoning Matters columnist;
+ Ralph R. Zerbonia, founder of the The Business Journal, and Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame honoree.

After the reading, the church’s pastor, Father Mykola Zomchak, will lead a short memorial service, followed by a coffee reception, hosted by the church. There is no charge for this event, but those planning to attend are asked to register at youngstownpressclub.com.

The Youngstown Press Club was re-established in 2018 to promote journalism and other communication-related professions in the Mahoning Valley.