The special exhibition was an in-depth look at the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. The exhibit showed the time line of getting help to the people of New Orleans. An interesting perspective came from the dilemma that journalists must choose when covering a natural disaster. A journalist is in the middle of destruction in order to cover the people by interviewing and taking pictures. But the museum asked, are the journalists liable to help the people they are covering? Since it is their code to be unbiased and deliver the facts, should they ignore people who are stuck in rubble?
As a student studying Communication and Journalism, I was intrigued by this exhibit. I put myself in the mind of someone on the front lines covering Katrina. I cannot imagine how difficult it would have been to snap a few photos and move on when looking at a family trapped in their house.
The exhibit also included artifacts from Hurricane Katrina. There were axes, and water-ruined belongings of its victims. Notably, there were wooden signs hand painted by people remaining in their homes. Signs that said "5 people, a dog, and a gun. Do not loot."
The Newseum is a living history of an event that was so close to home. For anyone interested in the field of journalism, this is a necessary place to visit. It made me appreciate the ethics and morals of a journalist, and the respect that goes along with this career.
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