Fallen journalists
memorial
Honoring America’s Commitment to Press Freedom and Those Who Died in Service to That Ideal
A free and independent press is one of America’s greatest historical achievements. It serves as an inspiration to both established and fledgling democracies around the world. That commitment does not come without sacrifice. Journalists and photojournalists confront a range of threats as they pursue the truth. Those threats often include murder, kidnapping, harassment and other forms of violence and intimidation.
About the Design
Located at the gateway to the National Mall, the memorial uses solid cast glass elements in a disordered arrangement near the site perimeter that aggregate gradually to form a perfect circular space at the center of the memorial, mirroring how journalists build a coherent story out of seemingly unrelated facts.
The memorial is a journey of discovery that places the visitor in the role of journalist searching for transparency and truth amid opacity and confusion. At the center of this rotunda is a glass lens inscribed with the text of the First Amendment. Looking downward to read its message, visitors see their own reflection, reinforcing the idea that each one of us has a role to play in preserving First Amendment freedoms and safeguarding our civic institutions.
As night falls, the glass memorial glows softly and the brightly lit Capitol Dome comes into view above the rotunda’s eastern rim, emphasizing the First Amendment as a beacon of freedom to the world.
The memorial includes three distinct spaces: a Classroom for educational programs, a News Room for live reporting, and the circular Remembrance Hall at the heart of the memorial, featuring a glass lens inscribed with the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Architect John Ronan began with a simple question: how do you make a memorial specifically about journalism? His answer came through studying ice cubes—transparent from one angle, distorted from another, sometimes completely opaque. This led to cast glass as the memorial’s defining material, which embodies the dualities journalists navigate: transparency and opacity, clarity and distortion, light and shadow.
The journey through the memorial represents the reporter’s process. Visitors enter from chaos and confusion at the edges and walk through pathways that gradually organize and clarify. Ultimately, they reach the geometric center. At night, the transparent pillars, made from cast glass, glow from within.
Frequently asked questions
Where will the memorial be located?
The memorial will be located at the east entrance of the National Mall, in direct line of sight of the U.S. Capitol, at Independence Ave., Maryland Ave., and 3rd St. SW, across from the National Museum of the American Indian. Locating the memorial on an unattached “island” parcel within close proximity to each of the three branches of government underscores the essential and independent role that journalists play in holding those institutions accountable to the people.
Is the memorial only about American journalists?
America is a unique model with its First Amendment. Journalists and press freedoms are under attack across the globe. We will memorialize all journalists who have died while reporting the news.
Will there be names on the memorial?
As a living memorial, we have determined not to have the names of those who have died engraved at the site. We know the list will never be complete, given the loss of life around the world that has gone undocumented—and sadly, that will continue. We do plan to have a robust online presence that incorporates educational components to ensure that this is truly a living memorial, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of fallen journalists. We will use technological cues where appropriate to prompt visitors to learn more and immerse themselves in educational information.
How much will the memorial cost?
The memorial will be funded entirely by private donations. The ultimate cost of the memorial will depend on variables including size and design, materials used, the approval and permitting process, construction and maintenance costs, as well as associated educational programs. Based on previous memorials, it is estimated that the total cost will be $50 million. This total meets the requirement to allocate 10 percent of the funding to the National Park Service for long-term maintenance. Given the challenges that the journalism industry is facing, this will enhance awareness and understanding of how vital journalism is to our democracy.
When will the project be completed?
Building a memorial in Washington, D.C., on federal land is dictated by the Commemorative Works Act of 1986. The Act outlines a seven-year framework from the enactment of authorizing legislation to the completion of the project. The process is overseen by the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, which is chaired by the National Park Service and made up of other key regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. The foundation expects to dedicate the memorial in late 2028.
Why is this memorial being established now?
The effort to build the Fallen Journalists Memorial was launched by former U.S. Representative and Tribune Publishing Company Chairman David Dreier at the first anniversary of the deadliest assault against journalists in United States history: the June 28, 2018, murder of five employees in the newsroom of the Tribune’s Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. Since then, hundreds of journalists and media workers around the world have been killed while doing their jobs. Additionally, in 2019, the Newseum, which housed a memorial to fallen journalists, closed its doors.