News Museum (Newseum) opens in D.C., dedicated to the press and journalistic freedoms

[Dover]

which I hope will also illuminate some very questionable circumstances that led to the deaths of
far too many press personnel, particularly in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
For all the problems regarding journalistic freedoms, corporate news monopolies, and the propaganda machine in this country, there are many talented and dedicated news people in the field risking it all every day.

http://www.newseum.org/

http://www.newser.com/story/18116.html

This post was inspired by an article posted today in LBN (and moved) about the death of yet another Reuters employee in Gaza.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x208438

[geardaddy]

1. Why is it in D.C.?

[YOY]

2. So it can be ignored in favor of the (free) Smithsonians

and therefore nobody will ever questions the status of Journalism because there are more interesting things going on!

[lurky]

3. Is this one of those historical museums?

"Once upon a time, children, we had a thing called 'journalism'..."
:P

[Doctor_J]

4. Hopefully there will be exhibits on Gary Webb, Dan Rather, James Hatfield

and other journalists who careers ended when they crossed the BFEE

[lurky]

5. That'd be nice, but

I wouldn't hold my breath. More likely just a bunch of platitudes about how wonderful our free press is. Sorry, I'm a cynic, I guess. :(

[Dover]

6. Can't say how much they will explore the 'unexplained deaths'

but a look at the exhibit page indicates that there will be, at least, a memorial. And then there may be 'future exhibits' or added information provided if/when some of these questionable incidents reach the courts. The museum provides a higher profile public venue or forum for discussions like that, or issues of press freedoms and Constitutional issues.

Journalists Memorial

A Tribute to Journalists Who Have Died Pursuing the News
Journalists face danger every day. Some are targeted deliberately, while others simply are in the wrong place at the wrong time. They often take calculated risks, sometimes paying with their lives.

This gallery houses the Journalists Memorial, a soaring, two-story glass structure bearing the names of reporters, photographers, editors and broadcasters who have died in the line of duty. The gallery also features photographs of hundreds of those journalists as well as kiosks where information on every honored journalist can be accessed.

----

Time Warner World News Gallery

News and Press Freedoms Around the Globe
Every day, journalists around the world face intimidation, censorship and perilous conditions. Journalists have been harassed, attacked and imprisoned simply for asking a question or reporting facts; but news still gets out, exposing the truth through the mainstream, underground and Internet press.

In this gallery, a large map vividly illustrates the stark differences in press freedom around the world. Daily front pages and international television feeds show the vibrancy of news and the diverse ways in which it is covered. International icons of freedom and the stories of journalists who risked their lives to report the news are found here — reminders of the power of the press to spur change.


http://www.newseum.org/exhibits_th/exhibits/index.aspx?item=exhibits&style=c

The Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001 •