SPJ NorCal Mourns Death of Chabot College Student Journalist

The Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists mourns the loss of student journalist Titawny Cook, and offers its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Cook, 41, a prior service U.S. Marine, traveled to Ukraine to report on its war with Russia for the Chabot College newspaper. Cook found the character of the Ukrainian people “unbelievable and outstanding,” according to what he told one of his classmates.

Cook was found dead last week in Ukraine under unclear circumstances, the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets reported.

“Like many reporters, Mr. Cook used journalism to explore something they find so fascinating, so compelling, they have to share it with the world,” said Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, president of SPJ NorCal. “We mourn him and all journalists who have died pursuing truth.”

Last year 78 journalists were killed across the world for reasons connected to their reporting, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. That’s a record-high number since 1992, when the committee began tracking such data. This year 40 journalists have been killed worldwide. All but a handful of those deaths were confirmed to be connected to their work. Read more about CPJ’s methodology here.

Cook’s mother, Christine Cook, is raising money to bring his body back to the United States. Donations may also help funeral expenses.

SPJ NorCal’s leadership also offers its condolences and sympathies to the Chabot College journalism program and its news outlet, The Chabot Spectator.

Cook told a classmate about his experiences in a profile The Spectator published about his efforts last year.

“I have experienced nothing but real and very courteous people since I have been in the country, and any rumors or fears of people back home that I heard about before arriving here were actually untrue, and like they say, ‘You don’t know until you try it for yourself,’” he said.

SPJ NorCal’s executive committee includes its president Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez; vice president, Ida Mojadad; secretary, Victor Patton; and treasurer, Meaghan Mitchell.

Read Titawny Cook’s local reporting for The Chabot Spectator here. Journalists who find themselves threatened while pursuing journalism can find more resources at the Committee to Protect Journalists.