World Press Freedom Day 2024
World Press Freedom Day conferences offer opportunities for journalists, researchers and other members of the media from around the world to discuss the diverse, global challenges to the freedom of the press. This year, World Press Freedom Day will be dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
Journalists with the Crossings Institute have attended World Press Freedom Day events for 12 years, with a new group of students reporting each year. The 2024 cohort of UO School of Journalism and Communication is made up of students and faculty members with diverse backgrounds and skillsets.
News
Meet the Team
The 2024 World Press Freedom Day conference in New York City is covered by three student journalists from the University of Oregon-UNESCO Crossings Institute for Conflict-sensitive Reporting and Intercultural Dialogue. The journalists attend and report on the daily sessions and events, which cover a range of topics relating to global press freedom.
The team is led by UO James Wallace Chair Professor of Journalism Peter Laufer, co-director of the Crossings Institute, and Charlie Deitz, another journalism professor at the UO, serves as managing editor.
Peter Laufer, Ph.D.
Co-Director of the Crossings Institute
Dr. Peter Laufer is the James Wallace Chair Professor in Journalism, School of Journalism and Communication. Laufer’s writing focuses on borders, migration, identity, and animal rights.
Charlie Deitz, Ph.D.
Managing Editor
Charlie Deitz, Ph.D., is an instructor of Media Studies and Journalism at the University of Oregon. He worked with the Crossings Institute founders to design the initial application and associated documents to get UNESCO-certification and has managed the editorial team since the 30th anniversary World Press Freedom Day event in New York City.
Christopher Chavez, Ph.D.
News Correspondent
Damian Radcliffe
News Correspondent
Damian Radcliffe is a journalist, researcher, and Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism at the University of Oregon. With over 25 years of experience in the media industry, Damian has worked in editorial, strategic, research, policy and teaching roles in the USA, Middle East and UK. This includes roles in all media sectors (commercial, public, government, regulatory, academic, and nonprofit/civil society) and all platforms (print, digital, TV and radio).
Hadil Abuhmaid
News Correspondent
Hadil Abuhmaid is sixth-year doctoral candidate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Bir-Zeit University in Ramallah, Palestine, and a master’s degree in nonprofit management with a focus on communication and arts administration from the University of Oregon. Hadil has worked in different media fields including public relations, film production, radio, and TV. Her primary research focuses on the effects of geo-politics on construction and self-representation of identity in Palestinian feature films.
Nahla Bendefaa
Website Content Manager
Nahla Bendefaa is a digital content creator, strategist, and project management consultant based in Eugene, OR. Her work has spanned quasi-governmental organizations, public radio and non-profit journalism, corporate communications, and higher education administration.
Maxwell Ely
Digital Editor
Maxwell Ely is a communications professional and researcher from Oregon, United States. Ely has expertise in public diplomacy, social media management, public relations planning, media relations, copywriting, and copyediting. He will work alongside the institute’ news correspondent as a digital editor for the 2023 UNESCO World Press Freedom Day.
Zachary Jones Neuray
News Correspondent
Zachary Jones Neuray is a reporter based in the Pacific Northwest, originally from Brussels, Belgium. Jones Neuray’s multicultural background cemented his passion for cross cultural storytelling. Throughout his career, Jones Neuray has been a contributor on the Daily Emerald, served on Carolyn Long’s 2018 midterm campaign, and reported with the Catalyst Solutions Journalism Project.
Ruby Wool
News Correspondent
Ruby Wool is an avid journalist from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. She is passionate about social justice issues and their impact on the global world. Wool believes that diversity and multiculturalism support progress and effect change.