Newseum's 'Today's Front Pages' Display Goes Dark To Raise Awareness of the Threats to Journalists

Journalists Memorial Rededicated With Names of 14 Journalists Killed in 2014

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Jun 08, 2015, 06:30 ET

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning, for the first time in the Newseum's seven-year history on Pennsylvania Avenue, no newspapers will be displayed in the Today's Front Pages exhibit inside the Newseum, outside the building on Pennsylvania Avenue or online at newseum.org. In their place are blacked-out pages featuring the hashtag #WithoutNews, part of a campaign to raise awareness of the increasing threats to journalists around the world. The blacked-out "front pages" will be on display until tomorrow morning, when the June 9 front pages are posted.

Today's #WithoutNews awareness campaign is taking place as the museum rededicates its Journalists Memorial, which recognizes journalists who died or were killed in the pursuit of news. At a 10 a.m. ceremony, the names of 14 journalists selected to represent all journalists who died covering the news in 2014 will be added to the 2,257 names on the memorial.

Today's awareness campaign is taking place as the museum rededicates its Journalists Memorial, which recognizes journalists who died or were killed in the pursuit of news. At a 10 a.m. ceremony, the names of 14 journalists selected to represent all journalists who died covering the news in 2014 will be added to the 2,257 names on the memorial.

"Part of our mission is to educate people about growing threats to journalists around the world," said Peter S. Prichard, Newseum chairman and CEO. "These blacked-out front pages vividly demonstrate what it means when journalists are murdered or kidnapped — we receive no news from some regions of the world. We hope the #WithoutNews campaign will encourage people to think about where news comes from, and to remember the brave men and women who often risk their lives to report it."

The Newseum is encouraging people to show their support by visiting newseum.org/withoutnews to share their thoughts on a world without news and spread the word by posting the campaign's profile picture on social media.

The Today's Front Pages exhibit reaches beyond the more than 800,000 people who visit the Newseum each year. Through the museum's website and its Today's Front Pages iOS mobile app, more than 3 million unique users visit Today's Front Pages online every year.

Each morning, it takes a small team up to three hours to prepare the exhibit. Before sunrise, most of the 1,200 newspapers that regularly participate have electronically submitted their front pages, and the team has begun to select, print and post 150 front pages for physical display in the indoor and outdoor exhibit cases. The pages are posted by 8 a.m. and remain on display until the next morning, when they are collected for use by the Newseum's Education department. All newspapers submitted to Today's Front Pages each day can be viewed on the Newseum's website.

About the Newseum
The mission of the Newseum is to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment through exhibits, public programs and education. One of the top attractions in Washington, D.C., the dynamic, engaging and interactive Newseum allows visitors to experience the stories of yesterday and today through the eyes of the media while celebrating the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the First Amendment. The Newseum Institute serves as a forum for First Amendment study, exploration and education. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations, including the Freedom Forum. For more information, visit newseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Newseum