04 May A Memorial to Fallen Journalists Is One Step Closer to Happening on the National Mall
A Virginia-based nonprofit has cleared the latest hurdle in its effort to build a first-of-its-kind memorial honoring journalists who’ve lost their lives while covering the news. The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation received Congressional authorization in 2020 to construct the memorial—using private funds—on federal land. Now, it has the go-ahead from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts to begin work on its design.
Organizers hope to complete the memorial—which is slated to be located on the National Mall, between the U.S. Botanic Garden and the National Museum of the American Indian—by the end of 2028. Washingtonian spoke with Barbara Cochran, the president of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, who previously held senior roles at National Public Radio, NBC’s Meet the Press, and CBS News. The conversation is edited for space and clarity.