Justice for Journalism - Threats Facing a Free Press

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire's Fall Forum is the signature fall event for the Council and is designed to help raise funds to support the organization's efforts to promote global discussions. Your participation in this fundraiser is vital to the continuation of the events and programs brought to the global community each year. Attend in person (with Patron Sponsor Ticket) or online.

Please Note: Due to UNH Manchester and WACNH COVID-19 policies, all in-person guests will be required to properly wear masks throughout the event. In addition, there will be no cocktail hour prior to this presentation.

About the Event:

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is proud to present their signature fall event, Justice for Journalism - Threats Facing a Free Press. All over the world journalists face dangers in their efforts to uncover stories of corruption, violence, and global affairs. Sadly, 65 media workers were killed last year for simply doing their jobs, which does not include the untold thousands who were beaten, threatened, or censored by governments, gangs, and other powerful actors.

This November 2nd, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,  WACNH presents an insightful panel discussion on the threats facing journalism around the world and how everyone can work to support a free press. Without journalists being able to freely practice their profession, citizens cannot fully understand what is going on in their societies. In addition, news outlets are facing a challenge to their credibility, as disinformation continues to spread, along with polarization. The panel presentation will be followed by a moderated Question and Answer period where both in-person and online attendees will ask insightful questions.

About the Speakers:

Diane M. Foley is the mother of five children, including American freelance conflict journalist James W. Foley. She founded the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in September 2014, less than a month after his public execution. Diane is currently serving as the President and Executive Director of JWFLF. Since 2014, she has led JWFLF efforts to fund the start of Hostage US and the international Alliance for a Culture of Safety, ACOS. In 2015, she actively participated in the National Counterterrorism Center hostage review which culminated in the Presidential Policy Directive-30. This directive re-organized US efforts on behalf of Americans taken hostage abroad into an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and a White Hostage Response Group. Previously, Diane worked first as a community health nurse and then as a family nurse practitioner for 18 years. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.

Carlos Martinez de la Serna joined CPJ as program director in 2018. Prior to CPJ, he worked as a reporter and digital journalist in the U.S., Spain, and Japan, covering issues including current affairs, biomedical research, and North Korea’s nuclear program. He is a founding member of the mapping startup Carto, co-founder of the nonprofit organization porCausa, and a former director of digital innovation at Univision News. Martinez de la Serna is a research fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University and a former John S. Knight fellow at Stanford University.

About our Moderator:

Hannah McCarthy is the host of New Hampshire Public Radio's Civics 101 podcast and author of A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works. She previously worked as a state house reporter for NHPR, on WNYC's Death, Sex and Money, and wrote for New York Magazine's Bedford and Bowery. Hannah lives in Concord, NH and travels to Brooklyn, NY more than her car would like. 

Mission Partner:

Title Sponsors:

Event Sponsors:                                                                    Event Partners:

Patron Sponsors:

Steve Barndollar

Bob Blair and Trish Murphy

Howard and Joan Brodsky

Davis and Susanna Farmer

Melinda Negron-Gonzales

Carolyn and Philip Hollman

Jack and Carol Resch
Carolyn Richmond

Diane Schaefer

Dave and Missie Schroeder

Steve Solomon

Andy Supplee

Ginny and Joe Szymanowski

Helen Taft and Peter Bowman