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Empowering Young Journalists: University of Oregon-UNESCO Crossings Institute's Youth Reporters Shine on World Press Freedom Day 2023
The Crossings Institute鈥檚 young journalists came from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, including multimedia, writing and social media journalism, with a focus on climate change, prisons, and the Global South. After the experts finished their formal presentations, the student reporter team conducted interviews with them. And the reporting team traveled fluidly around New York City, from Columbia University to the Port Authority bus station, reporting on WPFD off-sites events, engaging passersby in conversations about freedom of expression, and covering breaking news stories related to press freedom.
At this time of unrelenting attacks on free expression, UO School of Journalism and Communication students showed that our UNESCO shared commitment to press freedom is in good hands and hearts with the upcoming generation of reporters. It was no surprise 鈥 but nonetheless inspirational 鈥 to watch as our students made the UN General Assembly Hall into their newsroom.
To distribute student-produced work and the voices of WPFD contributors, all content was posted to the Crossings Institute鈥檚 website, Instagram and Twitter accounts. The website content manager was UO doctorate student Nahla Bendefaa, while senior student Maxwell Ely developed and managed the team鈥檚 online social media presence as a digital editor.
I hope my work helped inform and educate new audiences about the importance of press freedom and the many threats journalists face.
Ely took Instagram followers on a tour of a typical day at WPFD. J. Ivy, a WPFD opening ceremony performer, republished the piece 鈥淪haring truth through spoken word,鈥 along with accompanying photographs captured by UO master鈥檚 student, Berit Thorson.
鈥淚t was a privilege to cover the conference and learn from the experts who were present,鈥 Thorson, who focuses on the intersection of climate change and incarceration, said. 鈥淎s an early-career journalist, I felt almost overwhelmed by the importance and breadth of the discussions that I was photographing and reporting on.鈥
Zachary Jones Neuray, a senior student from Belgium, had opportunities to use his native language skills in French throughout the week. Neuray conducted man-on-the-street interviews with people walking by on the Columbia University鈥檚 campus. Their transcribed comments to the subject "What does press freedom mean to you?" were featured in an Instagram compilation reel. According to him, "reporting on WPFD was an eye-opening experience into the world of international dialogue."
Ruby Wool, a sophomore who is passionate about social justice and the benefits of cross-cultural learning, agreed. 鈥淚 was immersed in an environment that promoted the cross-cultural exchange of ideas, opinions and facts,鈥 Wool explained. 鈥淲PFD encouraged me to think and speak critically about the issues facing press freedom.鈥
This was many of the student journalists' first experience reporting outside of the classroom. Senior student Emma Johnston focused her reporting on gender justice in the media landscape. She created written pieces about Iranian-American journalist and women鈥檚 rights activist Masih Alinejad, and #ShePersisted co-founder Kristina Wilfore. Both articles focused on the brutal physical and digital attacks against female journalists.
I am in awe of the work of my fellow female journalists who dedicate their lives to fighting for freedom of expression.
Nishtha Yadav, a PhD student with a focus on the Global South, worked across mediums to explore how diverse media actors can combat digital threats and techniques to silence journalists.
My heart is filled with immense gratitude after listening to journalists鈥 stories, threats they face, and the emotional and cultural burden placed on them. It鈥檚 time we pledged our solidarity with this courageous community of journalists and activists.
Throughout the week, Yadav collaborated closely with Erica Pulley, a fellow communication and media studies doctorate student. Pulley used multimedia equipment to document behind-the-scenes WPFD footage. 鈥淚 am humbled to have met, photographed, and interviewed remarkable people whose very lives are on the line to tell their stories,鈥 Pulley said. She produced a WPFD recap video, which will be posted on the Crossings website shortly.
Charlie Deitz, UO鈥檚 professor and managing editor, was in charge of overseeing the work of the student reporters. This educational and journalistic experience taught him that 鈥渇reedom of speech is the paramount freedom and it is under threat; we have a chance 鈥 an obligation 鈥 to defend it.鈥