NUSEUM at Washington DC

News is what somebody, some where, want to supress.
- Lord Northcliffe, Publishing Baron

Yesterday I got an opportunity to visit a very different kind of
Museum in the heart of Down Town Washington DC. It is called Nuseum,
probably world's most interactive museum devoted to NEWS. This is a
place where one may witness the entire history of news papers. One may
start feeling to be a part of news making/ presenting and above all
touch and feel news.Located in 6 floor building on 555, Pennsylvania
avenue, only a stroll away from U.S.Capitol and White House, this
museum has 14 major gallaries and 15 theatres capable to immerse the
visiter in the world's greatest stories-the people, the places and the
times.

Initially, it was opened at its first location in Rosslyn, Virginia,
on April 18, 1997, where it admitted visitors without charge. Its
stated mission is "to help the public and the news media understand
one another better." In five years, the Newseum attracted more than
2.25 million visitors. The Newseum's operations are funded by the
Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to "free press, free
speech and free spirit for all people."In 2000, Freedom Forum decided
to move the Newseum from its location in Arlington, Virginia, across
the Potomac River to Washington, D.C. The original Newseum was closed
on March 3, 2002, in order to allow its staff to concentrate on
building the new, larger museum. The new museum, built at a cost of
$450 million, opened its doors to the public on April 11, 2008.

You may read front page of major newspapers from all the fifty States
of America and other prominent countries. I could see newspapers from
Britain, France, Germany, Ploland, Hungary, Russia to Iran, Iraq,
China but not even a single paper from India, though Times of India
claims to be the largest circulated English daily of world ! Nuseum
has arrangement with all these papers, in the early hours of morning
these publications upload their frontpages to nuseum and then
downloaded & printed by nuseum authorities in actual size of newspaper
frontpage for display at Today's Front Page Gallery.
There is so much to see in the nuseum that a day is not sufficient.
Let me start with the highlight of the place. On concourse level 1 at
Walter & Leonore Annenberg Theatre, one can have a four dimenensional
experience of news and news persons,it is almost like touch and feel
of the news reports at different places and different time.Yes. you
are there, standing with Edward R. Murrow on a London rooftop as he
delivers a live radio report during World War II and going undercover
with Nellie Bly as she exposes horrendous conditions in a 19th century
insane asylum.Some of the most dramatic events in journalism history
are recreated in "I-Witness: A 4-D Time Travel Adventure," show.
At level 5, there is a 100 feet long video wall where historic news
broadcasts, original documentaries and breaking news are presented.
Through multiple projectors images simultaneously projected on the
screen, which are beautifully merged as a single image, here one can
relive unforgettable moments in history and experience new ones.Some
of the most compelling and important broadcasts in history are
featured here, along with original productions that go behind the
scenes of news reporting.When news breaks, this theater is the place
for hundreds of news feeds from around the globe, bringing visitors
the freshest take on the happenings of the day.
At level 3 you may understand whole of the TV studio business. Here
the TV Studio is a home to ABC News's 'This Week With George
Stephanopoulous' filmed live every Sunday.
One gallery is exclusively devoted to Pultizer Prize Award winning
photographs.From the poignant shot of an ailing Babe Ruth watching his
number being retired at Yankee Stadium, to the U.S. Marines raising an
American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the photographs
illustrate the enduring power of the still image.The exhibit includes
each of the photographers and photo staffs who have won the prize
since the Pulitzer board began awarding it to photographers in 1942.
This gallery explores the horrendous events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the
extraordinary challenges that faced the journalists trying to report
the news to a shaken nation and world.
Then there is a gallery i, where you may witness the challenges faced
covering 9/11 terrorist attack at World Trade Centre, it includes a
tribute to photojournalist William Biggart, who died covering the
attacks — and some of the final photographs he took. Also featured are
front pages from around the globe about the attacks and first-person
accounts from reporters and photographers who covered the story.
Not far away is a theatre, where clippings from the various news
channels about 9/11 are shown as a documentary, it is a reminder that
a TV journalist can take you to witness history in the making.
Demolition of Berlin Wall was also a historic moment of history.
Newseum has a separate section where 8 sections of the wall and East
German Watch Tower are displayed.
News History Gallery is a journey starting from 14th century tells
the timeless story of news, of many voices struggling to be heard, and
of the people and machines that spread that news.At the gallery's
center is a timeline that showcases the Newseum's extensive collection
of historic newspapers and magazines. Within the timeline are 10
touch-screens that offer interactive games, a database of journalists
and close-up views of hundreds of publications. The cases along the
gallery walls examine recurring issues that confront journalists and
feature hundreds of artifacts and personal memorabilia. Five theaters
feature videos that explore some of those issues in greater depth.
I just want to conclude this writeup here because so many other
exhibits on the display can be understood only by seeing !

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