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The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation received approval to begin designing a memorial on the National Mall, in direct line of sight of the U.S. Capitol.  The site is at Independence Avenue, Maryland Avenue, and 3^rd SW, between the National Museum of the American Indian and the Voice of America.  Locating the memorial on an unattached “island” parcel within close proximity of each of the three branches of government underscores the essential and independent role that journalists play in holding those institutions accountable to the people.

The design concept for the Fallen Journalists Memorial aims to create a space that embodies the complexities of journalism—the pursuit of truth, the courage to bring difficult stories to light, and the sacrifices made by those in this profession.

The memorial’s innovative design consists of solid glass elements arranged in a seemingly random manner which aggregate to form a pure cylindrical space at the heart of the site, suggesting the way seemingly disconnected facts coalesce to form a journalist’s story.

Leveraging advances in technology, the memorial will be the first in the nation’s capital made almost entirely of glass. The layered collection of glass will appear different from all sides of the triangular site, alluding to the multiple sides of a story that a journalist must explore to infer the truth.

The memorial has no front or back and can be entered from multiple points with all paths leading to the circular Remembrance Hall, suggesting many paths to the truth. Inside the hall, visitors will be drawn to a circular glass “lens” in the center of the space bearing an important message: the text of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. At night, a soft glow will emanate from the up-lit glass elements with the brightly lit Capitol dome visible above the memorial’s eastern rim, signifying the watchdog role that journalists play in a democracy.

The memorial will be funded entirely by private donations. The ultimate cost of the memorial will depend on variables including the size and design, materials used, the approval and permitting process, construction and maintenance costs, and 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 maintenance of the memorial. It also includes funds to provide ongoing educational programming. Given the challenges the journalism industry is facing, this is a worthwhile investment that will enhance the awareness and understanding of the importance of journalism to our democracy.

Designing and 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 enactment of authorizing legislation to 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 that approve commemorative project designs. They include the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and others. The foundation expects to dedicate the finished memorial in late 2028.

The effort to build a Fallen Journalists Memorial was launched by former U.S. Representative and Tribune Publishing Company Chairman David Dreier to mark the first anniversary of the deadliest assault against journalists in United States history. That was the June 28, 2018, murder of five employees in the newsroom of the Tribune’s Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. Since then, well over 300 additional 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.

The Foundation is led by Dreier and former news executive and journalism professor Barbara Cochran. Numerous leaders from all segments of the journalism community serve on its Board of Advisors.