Reflection on the NEWS

Visiting the Newseum was a very powerful and interesting experience. The museum shows how journalism impacted certain events in history or how it was impacted by historical events.

I found the "Covering Katrina" exhibit to be very impressive. It was very interesting to see how the media became the nation's eyes and ears during the storm. The photos journalist took of the destruction the storm had caused on the Gulf Coast and people stranded on rooftops waiting to be rescued portrayed the horrific conditions in which the storm had left the coast in.

Other pictures and news clips showed masses of people crowded in and outside the New Orleans Convention Center for refuge. Newspapers displayed people "looting" stores for food and other items and reporters spoke of break outs of violence. Pictures and reporters' descriptions of the terrible conditions at the convention center spurred questioning about the absence of national help. At this point, newspapers became advocates for those affected by the storm, running headlines such as "Help Us Now" with pictures of people begging for help and printing stories that asked why these people were not receiving help they needed. Newspapers also provided information to those who were trapped at the convention center.

Journalist covering the storm were also affected. They were faced with the decision to cover the story or to help the people they were photographing. Many did put their cameras down and helped those who were stranded. One journalist said "We are human beings first, then journalists second."

It was amazing to see how the media was able to bring such attention and information to the areas that were secluded by the storm, how newspaper writers became advocates for relief, and how journalists offered another team of people to help those in need.