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What is so uncommon about the media that there needs to be a museum showcasing it? Everyday we are updated with news at the speed of light because of modern technology. We learn of occurrences around the world, celebrity breakups and weight gain to the everyday statuses of our Facebook friends. We are constantly overly saturated and basically obsessed with all kinds of news. So why would we want to pay to attend the Newseum? What have we not seen or heard about already? As soon as you face the 250,000 square foot structure, you know why.
I felt like a third grader on my first visit to the zoo as I stood across the street from the building. The First Amendment stared at me, etched on a 74ft high marble wall. It seemed to beseech me to turn around and say something (anything) to someone (anyone) just because I could. I resisted the urge to blurt out the nonsensical things that came to mind as I admired the glass structure, its surface serving as a current news forum for all to see.
The 14 galleries and 15 theaters (including a 4-D theater, my personal favorite) have something interesting and for everyone. Hearing that the museum holds 5 centuries of news history within its walls doesn’t mean much until you see it, especially in such an interactive way. It is a hands-on journey from the first telephone to huge touch screens that can upload the front pages of newspapers and magazines from around the world in milliseconds. And, as the ten year old next to me proved, with your fingers you can zoom these in and out and in and out and in, out, in, out and in again as much as you please. This is the point. Everyone is exposed to the evolution of news and the technology that reports it. Visitors are also exposed to the equally important and usually understated perspective and experiences of the journalists themselves.
In the 911 exhibit, I relived everything once again, but from the point of view of the journalists who covered the devastating event. It was something completely new to watch their testimonies as the second tower fell behind them, to see them run and hold back tears as they continued reporting from another, safer location. It was a very touching and eye-opening experience.
Whether it is because of the exhibit dedicated to the First Dogs (the canines of The White House), the history of the most dangerous criminals in America or the opportunity to be filmed as a mock journalist, there is always a reason to visit. I had always wanted to try being a weatherwoman and I did… not gracefully by any means since I pointed to “Texas” on the blue screen and was actually over Florida, but it is a great experience and I saw many cheerful, partaking visitors.
As with everything, there are criticisms about things that the Newseum lacks, things it should not have overlooked. While I was there, I actually reported that Puerto Rico was missing from their enormous world map, a BIG hell no where I am concerned. Nevertheless, it is still worth a visit. Their mission is very much accomplished by the end of the day: the public and the media gain a better and refreshing understanding of each other.
Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
http://www.newseum.org/
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