Anniversary packages are hard to do well, especially when the original event was as painful and shocking as this one. The challenge is to recall the events of Sept. 11 but to offer a new perspective, to be fresh but unfailingly respectful. The advantage of stories like this one is lead time; the various craft groups in the newsroom know what is coming and can plan coverage that will have unique meaning for their readership.

Monumental stories such as Sept. 11 are milestones, not only in the news but in display of the news. Unprecedented stories challenge journalists beyond their own precedents. They have the potential to push presentation -- writing forms, display type, visual communication and design -- beyond the routine.

With that in mind, Poynter.org has compiled a gallery of Sept. 11, 2002 newspaper front pages that represent a sampling of large and mid-sized metros, smaller community papers. The papers were chosen for the 2002 gallery based on their excellence covering Sept. 11, 2001. We also considered geographic region, variety in presentation, and quality headline writing.

We hope that as journalists review what others around the country have done, they may add to their own toolboxes for next time. Please let us know what you think.

Monica Moses
Visual Journalism Faculty, Poynter Institute

Anne Conneen
Design Editor, Poynter.org
Anne Conn
n Editor, Poyn



© Copyright 2002 The Poynter Institute | 801 Third Street South | St. Petersburg, FL 33701