First ever national memorial to be built honouring fallen journalists
It'll be based at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
The first UK memorial dedicated to the lives of fallen journalists is to be installed at The National Memorial Arboretum.
It'll take the form of world-class work of art, a sculpture, titled On The Record, and seeks to honour the courage and sacrifice of journalists and media workers who died in pursuit of the truth.
A complementary sculpture will also be installed at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street – the journalist’s chapel – with a dual presence creating both a national recognition and an enduring legacy.
Chair of Trustees, Sarah Sands, former editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and the Evening Standard, said:
“Journalists bear witness to the worst of humanity so that the world cannot turn a blind eye to it. The memorial will be a place to reflect on their courageous dedication to the truth and to remind future generations of the preciousness and the cost of free speech. We are proud to launch this competition and invite artists to imaginatively express these journalists’ stories.”
Since 2012, at least 17 UK journalists have been killed while reporting from conflict zones. Globally, the toll is far higher – with 128 journalists and media workers killed in 2023 alone.
Among those supporting the campaign is Karola Zakrzewska, whose brother Pierre Zakrzewski was killed while reporting for the UK-based division of Fox News while in Ukraine in 2022. She said:
“Pierre believed deeply in the power of journalism to shine a light in dark places. He risked everything to tell the stories that mattered. This memorial means his sacrifice – and that of so many others – will not be forgotten. It’s a way of putting their stories ‘on the record’ for generations to come.”
The memorial will be complemented by a digital tribute hosted by Press Gazette, featuring an online database of those commemorated, alongside archive footage, interviews with family members and educational resources. This digital platform will ensure that the stories of fallen journalists are preserved and accessible to all.
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