WASHINGTON—Newseum, a 250,000-square-foot museum of news in Washington, D.C., contains a vast compendium of human history told by news people. Its contents are imbued with the fundamental import of a free press.
Newseum is nothing less than a celebration of the role that news media plays in our lives. The museum’s 15 major galleries and smaller exhibits relive some of the most pivotal moments of human history through the media’s lens, showcasing anew humanity’s triumphs, as well as our bitter shortcomings.
It also celebrates the newspaperman’s noble profession of bringing truth to light, even in adverse conditions. It is a fine exposition of cheerleading for press freedom. One may say that it is very American.
Freedom Forum, the nonpartisan foundation that funded and operates Newseum, is dedicated to the free press, free speech, and free spirit for all people. The foundation was founded by USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth.
Eight major media companies, as well as Cox Enterprises, Robert H. and Clarice Smith, and the Annenberg Foundation, also made major financial contributions to the Newseum, which opened in April 2008, after its former location in Arlington closed in 2002.
The first exhibit visitors are likely to encounter (if they follow the suggested tour path) depictions of one of journalism’s finest hours. It is hard to miss the lineup of eight 12-foot-tall cement slabs, standing adjacent a 3-story-tall watchtower topped with a bright searchlight. It is the Berlin Wall Gallery.
