Youngstown Press Club denounces Evan Gershkovich verdict
July 19, 2024
YOUNGSTOWN - The Youngstown Press Club is denouncing today’s verdict against American journalist Evan Gershkovich. A Russian court in Yekaterinburg found Gershkovich guilty of spying and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.
In a statement from the Youngstown Press Club, its Board of Governors said:
“The Russian verdict against Evan Gershkovich is an outrage and a threat to a global free press. The Youngstown Press Club steadfastly agrees that no journalist should ever be arrested and detained for simply doing his or her job.
“This verdict represents a frightening effect on a free press as more foreign correspondents flee Russia because, like Evan, they are easy targets for the Russian government, which is eager to gain leverage over the U.S. He is a journalist wrongfully detained, being held, it is assumed, for some future hostage swap. So far, there has yet to be such an arrangement from the Russian government.
“Every day that Evan Gershkovich remains jailed is one day too long and we shall continue to ‘Stand with Evan’ because journalism is not a crime.”
Gershkovich, 32, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested on an espionage charge on March 29, 2023, and has since then been held in the Stalin-era Lefortovo Prison, largely cut off from the world and spending 90 percent of his time in a small cell.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War.
The Russian government has never disclosed any evidence that Gershkovich was engaged in spying or any wrongdoing. Gershkovich, his employer and the US government have repeatedly denied the espionage charges against him, saying that he was an accredited journalist working in Russia and is not a spy.
In February, The Youngstown Press Club brought to light Gershkovich’s arrest and ordeal, hosting Wall Street Journal Assistant Editor Paul Beckett in a community forum at The DeYor Center for the Performing Arts. Beckett called Gershkovich’s detainment “reprehensible" and called on the Russians to set him free. As of today, Gershkovich has been held for 477 days in the Lefortovo Prison.
In a statement from the Youngstown Press Club, its Board of Governors said:
“The Russian verdict against Evan Gershkovich is an outrage and a threat to a global free press. The Youngstown Press Club steadfastly agrees that no journalist should ever be arrested and detained for simply doing his or her job.
“This verdict represents a frightening effect on a free press as more foreign correspondents flee Russia because, like Evan, they are easy targets for the Russian government, which is eager to gain leverage over the U.S. He is a journalist wrongfully detained, being held, it is assumed, for some future hostage swap. So far, there has yet to be such an arrangement from the Russian government.
“Every day that Evan Gershkovich remains jailed is one day too long and we shall continue to ‘Stand with Evan’ because journalism is not a crime.”
Gershkovich, 32, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested on an espionage charge on March 29, 2023, and has since then been held in the Stalin-era Lefortovo Prison, largely cut off from the world and spending 90 percent of his time in a small cell.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War.
The Russian government has never disclosed any evidence that Gershkovich was engaged in spying or any wrongdoing. Gershkovich, his employer and the US government have repeatedly denied the espionage charges against him, saying that he was an accredited journalist working in Russia and is not a spy.
In February, The Youngstown Press Club brought to light Gershkovich’s arrest and ordeal, hosting Wall Street Journal Assistant Editor Paul Beckett in a community forum at The DeYor Center for the Performing Arts. Beckett called Gershkovich’s detainment “reprehensible" and called on the Russians to set him free. As of today, Gershkovich has been held for 477 days in the Lefortovo Prison.
Youngstown Press Club statement on Evan Gershkovich's indictment
June 17, 2024
The Youngstown Press Club has renewed its pledge to stand in solidarity with Evan Gershkovich in light of this week’s announcement that Russian prosecutors approved an indictment and will make Gershkovich stand trial on June 26 on false spy charges.
Gershkovich, 32, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has been held in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison since March 29, 2023, on an allegation that he, the WSJ and the US government deny.
Russian authorities have a long history of unlawfully detaining individuals as bargaining chips in hostage negotiations and have never provided the public with any evidence of any crime by Evan, and it is doubtful that they will do so in a secret, sham trial.
Russia’s announcement means the case will be referred to trial court, where Gershkovich could face a series of secret, closed-door hearings.
“Since our February I Stand with Evan event in Youngstown, we have closely followed developments in this case and we are devastated by the indictment and the fact that Evan will stand trial on these false charges,” said Youngstown Press Club President Lori Factor.
Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release and urged the Biden administration to redouble efforts for Evan’s release. Roger Carstens, chief hostage diplomat for the U.S., said the administration will not be deterred in efforts to get Gershkovich released.
The effort to negotiate Gershkovich's freedom has been complicated by deepening friction between the U.S. and Russia in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“The Youngstown Press Club wholeheartedly endorses the Wall Street Journal’s position that the Russian regime’s smearing of Evan is repugnant, and based on calculated and transparent lies,” said Factor. “It is obvious that Evan is being used as a bargaining chip by the Russian government and detained for simply doing his job. We continue to stand with Evan because journalism is not a crime.”
Gershkovich, 32, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has been held in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison since March 29, 2023, on an allegation that he, the WSJ and the US government deny.
Russian authorities have a long history of unlawfully detaining individuals as bargaining chips in hostage negotiations and have never provided the public with any evidence of any crime by Evan, and it is doubtful that they will do so in a secret, sham trial.
Russia’s announcement means the case will be referred to trial court, where Gershkovich could face a series of secret, closed-door hearings.
“Since our February I Stand with Evan event in Youngstown, we have closely followed developments in this case and we are devastated by the indictment and the fact that Evan will stand trial on these false charges,” said Youngstown Press Club President Lori Factor.
Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release and urged the Biden administration to redouble efforts for Evan’s release. Roger Carstens, chief hostage diplomat for the U.S., said the administration will not be deterred in efforts to get Gershkovich released.
The effort to negotiate Gershkovich's freedom has been complicated by deepening friction between the U.S. and Russia in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“The Youngstown Press Club wholeheartedly endorses the Wall Street Journal’s position that the Russian regime’s smearing of Evan is repugnant, and based on calculated and transparent lies,” said Factor. “It is obvious that Evan is being used as a bargaining chip by the Russian government and detained for simply doing his job. We continue to stand with Evan because journalism is not a crime.”
Press club renews call for reporter's release
March 20, 2024
YOUNGSTOWN - The Youngstown Press Club is renewing its call for the release of a reporter from a Russian prison as the first anniversary of his arrest approaches.
Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested on an espionage charge on March 29, 2023, and still awaits trial.
Gershkovich, the WSJ and the U.S. government vehemently deny that charge.
"We continue to stand with Evan on the one-year anniversary of his imprisonment," said Lori A. Factor, Youngstown Press Club president.
"A free press is the hallmark of a civilized society. Journalism is not a crime, and journalists should never feel as though danger dictates their reporting in any country," she added.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared Gershkovich wrongly detained; and President Biden has promised to bring him home.
Last month, the press club sponsored an "I Stand with Evan" event in Youngstown, which featured Paul Beckett, the Wall Street Journal's assistant editor, who is working full-time to secure Gershkovich's release.
Gershkovich, 32, is the American-born son of Soviet-era emigres to the United States. He learned Russian from his parents and built a career as a journalist focused on Russia.
He joined The Wall Street Journal in January 2022 after having reported from Moscow for AgenceFrance Press and The Moscow Times.
Since his arrest, he has been held in the Stalin-era Lefortovo Prison, largely cut off from the world and spending 90 percent of his time in a small cell.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War.
He has profiled Russian dissidents, written extensively about the Kremlin's war effortsand reported from Russian border towns on the war's toll since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Youngstown Press Club was re-established in 2018 to promote journalism and related professions in the Mahoning Valley.
Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested on an espionage charge on March 29, 2023, and still awaits trial.
Gershkovich, the WSJ and the U.S. government vehemently deny that charge.
"We continue to stand with Evan on the one-year anniversary of his imprisonment," said Lori A. Factor, Youngstown Press Club president.
"A free press is the hallmark of a civilized society. Journalism is not a crime, and journalists should never feel as though danger dictates their reporting in any country," she added.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared Gershkovich wrongly detained; and President Biden has promised to bring him home.
Last month, the press club sponsored an "I Stand with Evan" event in Youngstown, which featured Paul Beckett, the Wall Street Journal's assistant editor, who is working full-time to secure Gershkovich's release.
Gershkovich, 32, is the American-born son of Soviet-era emigres to the United States. He learned Russian from his parents and built a career as a journalist focused on Russia.
He joined The Wall Street Journal in January 2022 after having reported from Moscow for AgenceFrance Press and The Moscow Times.
Since his arrest, he has been held in the Stalin-era Lefortovo Prison, largely cut off from the world and spending 90 percent of his time in a small cell.
Gershkovich is the first American journalist charged with espionage in Russia since the Cold War.
He has profiled Russian dissidents, written extensively about the Kremlin's war effortsand reported from Russian border towns on the war's toll since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Youngstown Press Club was re-established in 2018 to promote journalism and related professions in the Mahoning Valley.
Our support for freedom of the press
The Youngstown Press Club supports journalists and press freedom worldwide. For four years Youngstown Press Club members have honored slain journalists on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, with a Reading of the Names ceremony.
Last year the club made a financial contribution to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an organization that provides free legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
We support the #IStandWithEvan movement and brought The Wall Street Journal's Paul Beckett to Youngstown to speak about Evan Gershkovich's wrongful imprisonment in February 2024.
We support the rights of student journalists and sponsored a Student Press Freedom Day celebration at Youngstown State University in February 2024.
In October 2024 we will bring in Gunita Singh, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, to talk about the organization's work to help journalists fight legal challenges to their rights.
Last year the club made a financial contribution to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, an organization that provides free legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
We support the #IStandWithEvan movement and brought The Wall Street Journal's Paul Beckett to Youngstown to speak about Evan Gershkovich's wrongful imprisonment in February 2024.
We support the rights of student journalists and sponsored a Student Press Freedom Day celebration at Youngstown State University in February 2024.
In October 2024 we will bring in Gunita Singh, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, to talk about the organization's work to help journalists fight legal challenges to their rights.
World Press Freedom Day
On Friday, May 3, 2024, the Youngstown Press Club honored fallen journalists in a World Press Freedom Day commemoration, including a Reading of the Names. The event was held in the Mahoning County Courthouse Rotunda, 120 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio.
Judge Theresa Dellick made opening remarks and names were read by Lori Factor, Chelsea Simeon, Tony Paglia, Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, George Nelson, JoAnn Kolarik, Brenda Linert, Karen Kastner, India Gatts, Ernie Brown, Emily Webster Love, Ralph Zerbonia, Dennis Mangan, Chris Cerenelli, Jordan Cohen, Michele Gatts and Judge Dellick..
For more photos of this event, click here.
On Friday, May 3, 2024, the Youngstown Press Club honored fallen journalists in a World Press Freedom Day commemoration, including a Reading of the Names. The event was held in the Mahoning County Courthouse Rotunda, 120 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio.
Judge Theresa Dellick made opening remarks and names were read by Lori Factor, Chelsea Simeon, Tony Paglia, Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, George Nelson, JoAnn Kolarik, Brenda Linert, Karen Kastner, India Gatts, Ernie Brown, Emily Webster Love, Ralph Zerbonia, Dennis Mangan, Chris Cerenelli, Jordan Cohen, Michele Gatts and Judge Dellick..
For more photos of this event, click here.
Organizations that support and protect press freedom
Committee to Protect Journalists
Sixty-seven members of the press were killed in 2022, the highest number since 2018, according to the annual report from the Committee to Protect Journalists. At least 41 journalists, or more than 60%, were killed in retaliation for their work. A motive for the other 26 are being investigated by the CPJ.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists.
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders maintains a Press Freedom Index, checks abuses worldwide in real time, and assists journalists in danger. "To make a lasting change, we carry out in-depth work with governments and institutions. We offer concrete solutions and launch international initiatives. We are on the ground to assist journalists in danger. Anywhere and anytime."
The International Press Institute
The International Press Institute keeps a database of killed journalists. It has been monitoring the killing of journalists since 1997.
The New Humanitarian
A collection of articles from The New Humanitarian showcasing the work of journalists who face reporting restrictions and dangers around the globe.
Freedom of the Press Foundation
The Freedom of the Press Foundation protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century.
CNN
CNN's Media Martyrs is a compilation of those who have died while working as journalists in the past 15 years.
Sixty-seven members of the press were killed in 2022, the highest number since 2018, according to the annual report from the Committee to Protect Journalists. At least 41 journalists, or more than 60%, were killed in retaliation for their work. A motive for the other 26 are being investigated by the CPJ.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists.
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders maintains a Press Freedom Index, checks abuses worldwide in real time, and assists journalists in danger. "To make a lasting change, we carry out in-depth work with governments and institutions. We offer concrete solutions and launch international initiatives. We are on the ground to assist journalists in danger. Anywhere and anytime."
The International Press Institute
The International Press Institute keeps a database of killed journalists. It has been monitoring the killing of journalists since 1997.
The New Humanitarian
A collection of articles from The New Humanitarian showcasing the work of journalists who face reporting restrictions and dangers around the globe.
Freedom of the Press Foundation
The Freedom of the Press Foundation protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century.
CNN
CNN's Media Martyrs is a compilation of those who have died while working as journalists in the past 15 years.