America's Newseum celebrates its first year

Posted by Soraya Kishtwari on April 21, 2009 at 3:58 PM

The Washington-based museum of news (pictured right) celebrates its first birthday this month,

although it was first opened in Rosslyn, Virginia in 1997. An initiative of the Freedom Forum, a politically neutral organization, the "world's most interactive museum" has been hailed a success, attracting 700,000 people since it opened - despite a $20 entry fee.

Writing for the Indianapolis Star, Ken Bode says: "The Newseum is four floors of news, from historic beginnings to the very instant it's happening." The Washington Post Company's free Express newspaper also applauds the museum, asking: "What better way [is there] to get your mind off of the decline of the newspaper industry?" Whilst reporter Paul Sullivan calls the museum a "fascinating tribute to journalism" saying it is a "must-see," although he did express disappointment at what he sees as the underrepresentation of the local newspaper, asking "Where's the community journalism?"

In a statement released on the Newseum website, executive director and senior vice president Joe Urschel says one of the museum's core missions is for visitors to "come away with a better understanding of news and the important role it plays in all of our lives."

Meanwhile, the Guardian's Jack Schofield asks if the Newseum's memorial - currently used to commemorate the many reporters, photographers and cameramen who have died on the job - will eventually be used to honour the fallen American newspaper.

Sources: China Post , Indianapolis Star , Express , Fredericksburg.com , Newseum.org , Guardian.co.uk