The Waikato Times front page depicting the devastation of 9/11 has been chosen from hundreds of newspapers around the world to feature in a New York exhibition commemorating the tragedy.

The Times was contacted by New York's National September 11 Memorial & Museum this week who informed editor Jonathan MacKenzie that its coverage of the 9/11 disaster had been selected for display at next year's exhibition.

Just 21 papers will be featured, according to the director of exhibition development, Amy Weisser, who said the exhibit of newspaper front-pages from September 12, 2001, illustrated the global response to the events in the US.

"Among the hundreds of papers from around the world that devoted their front pages to these events, the Waikato Times was selected for its clear, evocative title, ‘The Day that Shook the World', and the dramatic image of the remains of the World Trade Center towers," Ms Weisser said.

"We are honoured to be able to include your paper's 9/12/01 front page in our exhibition and are grateful for your support in our mission to honour the losses and tell the story of the events along with their ongoing impact on our global community."

The person responsible for the Times 9/11 coverage in 2001 was Venetia Sherson, editor at the time. She said the recognition was a "remarkable achievement for the paper covering a remarkable day in history".

"It was the highlight of my career, certainly - working in the media at the time of such a significant event."

Ms Sherson said the entire newsroom worked "to a very high level" from junior reporters right through to senior reporters and editors.

"But we were also very bewildered and wondering, like everyone else, what was going to happen next."

She said this week's announcement was a feather in the cap for all involved.

"It's certainly wonderful to be recognised in this way."

Ms Weisser said the memorial exhibition would honour the nearly 3000 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the six who perished in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments