The year 2022 marked a devastating decline in journalists' safety worldwide. The Committee to Protect Journalists counts 67 journalists and media workers killed in connection with their profession. This number represents a sharp increase from the total of 45 journalists killed in 2021.
The Youngstown Press Club will participate in a worldwide recognition and honoring of these fallen journalists at a World Press Freedom Day event, a Reading of the Names of all those who were killed in pursuit of a story in the previous year.
The Youngstown Press Club will participate in a worldwide recognition and honoring of these fallen journalists at a World Press Freedom Day event, a Reading of the Names of all those who were killed in pursuit of a story in the previous year.
What is World Press Freedom Day?
World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
How you can participate in World Press Freedom Day
On World Press Freedom Day 2023, UNESCO will organize a special 30th anniversary event at UN headquarters in New York. This anniversary edition of World Press Freedom Day will include a full day of activities at the UN Headquarters on 2nd May. Partners from the media, academia, and civil society are invited to organize events in New York and around the world centered on this year’s theme. Read more.
2023 World Press Freedom Day, May 3, Youngstown, Ohio
The Youngstown Press Club participates annually in the observance of World Press Freedom Day with a Reading of the Names of slain journalists.
The 2023 observance will be at 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.
After the Reading of the Names, Father Mykola Zomchak will lead a short memorial service.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to attend the World Press Freedom Day Reading of the Names in Youngstown on May 3.
The 2023 observance will be at 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.
After the Reading of the Names, Father Mykola Zomchak will lead a short memorial service.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to attend the World Press Freedom Day Reading of the Names in Youngstown on May 3.
Our 2023 Readers for the Reading of the Names
Our readers this year are local journalists, communications professionals, educators, students, and members of the Youngstown Press Club.
Ernie Brown
Ernie Brown was the regional editor for The Vindicator for more than 30 years before his retirement in 2019. Prior to that, he was a Vindicator reporter, a teacher in Youngstown City Schools, and a radio reporter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Ohio State University. Ernie has served numerous civic organizations, including the Youngstown Chapter of the United Negro College Fund, the Youngstown Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Program and the William Swanston Charitable Fund board. He has been honored by a number of organizations and was inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame in 2022. Ernie and his wife, Cherrie (Ellis) have two children, Kevin M. Brown and Erin A. Brown.
Ernie Brown was the regional editor for The Vindicator for more than 30 years before his retirement in 2019. Prior to that, he was a Vindicator reporter, a teacher in Youngstown City Schools, and a radio reporter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Ohio State University. Ernie has served numerous civic organizations, including the Youngstown Chapter of the United Negro College Fund, the Youngstown Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Program and the William Swanston Charitable Fund board. He has been honored by a number of organizations and was inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame in 2022. Ernie and his wife, Cherrie (Ellis) have two children, Kevin M. Brown and Erin A. Brown.
George Denney
George Denney is a retired certified state court administrator, after serving 15 years with Youngstown Municipal Court. He was a reporter 20 years for the Tribune Chronicle, and Vindicator, and earned a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University while working 15 years in the steel industry, where he completed a machinist apprenticeship program. He has had articles published in The Bold Italic and Belt Magazine. George and his wife, Arlene, have a son and grandchildren, and reside in Youngstown.
George Denney is a retired certified state court administrator, after serving 15 years with Youngstown Municipal Court. He was a reporter 20 years for the Tribune Chronicle, and Vindicator, and earned a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University while working 15 years in the steel industry, where he completed a machinist apprenticeship program. He has had articles published in The Bold Italic and Belt Magazine. George and his wife, Arlene, have a son and grandchildren, and reside in Youngstown.
Dr. Adam Earnheardt
Dr. Adam Earnheardt is a professor of communication and general education coordinator at Youngstown State University, and treasurer of the Youngstown Press Club.
Dr. Adam Earnheardt is a professor of communication and general education coordinator at Youngstown State University, and treasurer of the Youngstown Press Club.
Lori Factor
Lori A. Factor is the Director of Communications for Potential Development School for Students with Autism, and is president-elect of the Youngstown Press Club.
Lori A. Factor is the Director of Communications for Potential Development School for Students with Autism, and is president-elect of the Youngstown Press Club.
India Gatts
India Gatts is in her second year at Youngstown State University as a double major of English and history. In addition to being a member of the Youngstown Press Club, she is a member of the Sokolov Honors College, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the History Club, and the Phi Alpha Theta and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Societies.
India Gatts is in her second year at Youngstown State University as a double major of English and history. In addition to being a member of the Youngstown Press Club, she is a member of the Sokolov Honors College, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the History Club, and the Phi Alpha Theta and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Societies.
JoAnn Kolarik
JoAnn Kolarik received her BA/MA in English and journalism from YSU and although spending the majority of her career as an account executive for WFMJ-TV/WBCB-TV, she has always maintained respect and admiration for those working daily to bring out the truth and both sides of the story.
JoAnn Kolarik received her BA/MA in English and journalism from YSU and although spending the majority of her career as an account executive for WFMJ-TV/WBCB-TV, she has always maintained respect and admiration for those working daily to bring out the truth and both sides of the story.
Brenda Linert
Brenda has served as editor of the Tribune Chronicle since 2014, and The Vindicator since 2019. She has won numerous AP awards for her work as a reporter and editor. Brenda holds a holds a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's in communications from Kent State University. A member of the Youngstown Press Club Board of Governors, sShe also serves as Associated Press Media Editors board member; is marketing chairwoman for the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, is a member of the marketing advisory committee for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber; and is a member of the Penn-Ohio Model A Club. She and her husband live in Austintown and have two adult sons.
Brenda has served as editor of the Tribune Chronicle since 2014, and The Vindicator since 2019. She has won numerous AP awards for her work as a reporter and editor. Brenda holds a holds a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's in communications from Kent State University. A member of the Youngstown Press Club Board of Governors, sShe also serves as Associated Press Media Editors board member; is marketing chairwoman for the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, is a member of the marketing advisory committee for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber; and is a member of the Penn-Ohio Model A Club. She and her husband live in Austintown and have two adult sons.
George Nelson
George Nelson is the president of the Youngstown Press Club. He has worked as a professional journalist in the Mahoning Valley since 1985, the majority of which he has spent with The Business Journal, where he currently is deputy managing editor. As a reporter, his focus is on economic and community development and politics. A Youngstown native, he now resides in Niles with his wife and two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Youngstown State University and is secretary of the Rotary Club of Youngstown.
George Nelson is the president of the Youngstown Press Club. He has worked as a professional journalist in the Mahoning Valley since 1985, the majority of which he has spent with The Business Journal, where he currently is deputy managing editor. As a reporter, his focus is on economic and community development and politics. A Youngstown native, he now resides in Niles with his wife and two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Youngstown State University and is secretary of the Rotary Club of Youngstown.
Chelsea Simeon
Chelsea Simeon is the digital executive producer at WKBN, where she oversees web content on WKBN.com and WYTV.com, as well as social media. She grew up in Brookfield and graduated from Youngstown State University with a major in journalism. Chelsea started her career as a print journalist, working in the Cleveland area for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. During that time, she covered the crime beat as well as local communities. Before coming to WKBN, Chelsea also worked on marketing initiatives for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber.
Chelsea Simeon is the digital executive producer at WKBN, where she oversees web content on WKBN.com and WYTV.com, as well as social media. She grew up in Brookfield and graduated from Youngstown State University with a major in journalism. Chelsea started her career as a print journalist, working in the Cleveland area for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. During that time, she covered the crime beat as well as local communities. Before coming to WKBN, Chelsea also worked on marketing initiatives for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber.
Chris Travers
Chris Travers began his life's work in radio and television, finished it in the enterprise software industry, and now enjoys full retirement. At various times in the last two decades he devoted time and leadership to neighborhood revitalization organizations, chaired the 2016 Youngstown Charter Review Commission, sat on the board of the Mahoning County Land Bank, and served as a VISTA volunteer. He currently writes a twice-monthly column for Mahoning Matters. A native of New Castle, Chris received his B.A. in Communications from Westminster College and lives in Youngstown's Brownlee Woods neighborhood with his wife, Attorney Patricia Dougan.
Chris Travers began his life's work in radio and television, finished it in the enterprise software industry, and now enjoys full retirement. At various times in the last two decades he devoted time and leadership to neighborhood revitalization organizations, chaired the 2016 Youngstown Charter Review Commission, sat on the board of the Mahoning County Land Bank, and served as a VISTA volunteer. He currently writes a twice-monthly column for Mahoning Matters. A native of New Castle, Chris received his B.A. in Communications from Westminster College and lives in Youngstown's Brownlee Woods neighborhood with his wife, Attorney Patricia Dougan.
Ralph R. Zerbonia
Ralph R. Zerbonia has been an entrepreneur and start-up launch specialist, starting numerous new media companies in the Valley. He founded the Youngstown Publishing Company and in 1984 founded and became the first publisher of The Youngstown Business Journal. He now works with Microsoft virtual reality technologies. In 2021, he was inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame.
Ralph R. Zerbonia has been an entrepreneur and start-up launch specialist, starting numerous new media companies in the Valley. He founded the Youngstown Publishing Company and in 1984 founded and became the first publisher of The Youngstown Business Journal. He now works with Microsoft virtual reality technologies. In 2021, he was inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame.