We support World Press Freedom Day

For the past five years, the Youngstown Press Club has honored journalists worldwide with a World Press Freedom Day commemoration and a Reading of the Names of journalists killed while doing their jobs.

Every May 3, Press Club members read the names of journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of truth in the previous calendar year. It is a solemn and sobering event that offers a moment of reflection and respect as the names of journalists are read aloud one by one, honoring their legacy and underscoring the importance of protecting press freedom worldwide. 

Please join us this year, on Sunday, May 3, 2026, for the 6th annual World Press Freedom Day, 12 p.m. at the Butler Institute of American Art. Stay tuned for more details. 

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We celebrate Student Press Freedom Day

In February we partner with Youngstown State University students from The Jambar and Jambar TV, who present a Student Press Freedom Day program. Student Press Freedom Day raises awareness of the challenges faced by student journalists and celebrates their contributions to their schools and communities.

We hope you'll join us this year at the 3rd annual Student Press Freedom Day at YSU. More details HERE.

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We stand with journalists and and press freedom

The Youngstown Press Club supports journalists and their constitutional right to do their jobs. 

In 2023 and 2024, the Youngstown Press Club joined a global movement to denounce the wrongful imprisonment of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. In February 2024 we hosted a visit from Paul Beckett, WSJ editor in charge of securing Gershkovich's release, to raise awareness of the #IStandWithEvan movement. And later that year, we joined the celebration of Evan's release from a Russian prison.

We support  organizations like 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 keep our community informed about issues facing the media by bringing in speakers like:

• Gunita Singh, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, who spoke on "Protecting Journalists' Rights" and the organization's work to help journalists fight legal challenges to their rights. 
• Jason Schriner-Briggs, a Yale Press Fellow, who spoke on ""Democracy, the Constitution and the American Press."
  
• A panel of experts on the Freedom of Information Act, who discussed how journalists and citizens can use FOIA to access information.
  

Organizations that support and protect press freedom

Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists supports journalists through timely safety information and emergency assistance, covering an array of physical, digital, and legal issues.
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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.
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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 International Federation of Journalists
The International Federation of Journalists is the largest global union federation of journalists' trade unions in the world. It represents more than 600,000 media workers from 187 organisations in 146 countries. The IFJ is an associate member of UNESCO and has represented journalists at the United Nations since 1953.

The Washington Post's Press Freedom Partnership
The Press Freedom Partnership is a coalition of leading nonprofit organizations working vigilantly to defend press freedom, call attention to the plight of journalists worldwide, and increase awareness of sthe importance of an independent media.

Freedom of the Press Foundation
​The ​Freedom of the Press Foundation protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century.

​Student Press Law Center 
The Student Press Law Center is a non-profit organization that aims to promote, support and defend press freedom rights for student journalists at high schools and colleges in the United States.