For those who may be anxious about, or even dreading, anniversary coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks, here’s a bit of context within which to understand the news media’s efforts.
Marking an anniversary, particularly the anniversary of a cataclysmic event, is a distinctly ancient human practice. Whether it’s done graciously, which is a Star-Telegram objective, is another question.
The news media’s role is a 21st-century version of cave drawings, embroidered tapestries and other forms of record-keeping that is needed to help people and posterity remember profoundly important things. The record may be troubling, but it’s virtually mandatory.
If I’m understanding our plans and others’ correctly, most news outlets want coverage that’s dignified, out of respect for a nation whose character and resolve have prevailed against deep wounds and much pain.
Managing Editor Kathy Vetter, who oversees investigative projects and has played a key role in developing the Star-Telegram’s Sept. 11 coverage, says, “Our sense is that most people want some opportunity to reflect without being overwhelmed.”
The Star-Telegram’s coverage is a careful reach in that direction, she said.
A heavily illustrated 12-page special section today offers a sustained look back at the events of Sept. 11 and the immediate aftermath.
“We hope that readers find this section solemn and respectful,” Vetter said.
Meanwhile, for readers who may not care to revisit the past, the remainder of coverage will be future-focused, looking at unfolding issues and where they’re likely to take the United States.
Driving it all, whether here or elsewhere, will be the universal human need to mark anniversaries of life-changing moments.
Such a need springs from deep within us, says Michael Katovich, a professor of sociology at Texas Christian University.
Katovich observes that “some things we have to remember, such as not to play with fire, but anniversaries take us to a more symbolic level, into the nature of ourselves, our souls, our consciousness. … We’re affirming our ties to a group or community and affirming who we are as human selves.”
The early anthropologists and sociologists noticed that “the memory of things reinforced solidarity and ties” among people, he said. “If all we had was just the immediacy of the moment, we probably would be on the level of animals, just moving back and forth … we wouldn’t have the level of community that we have.”
Managing Editor Rex Seline, who has partnered with Vetter in developing Sept. 11 coverage, says: “We know it’s important to remember and reflect, but we would distinguish that from simply rehashing and reliving the events.
“Much of our reporting has been focused on looking ahead rather than asking people what they recall about that day a year ago. Generally, we’ve tried to identify some key lessons of Sept. 11 and to see how well those lessons have been applied in our lives.”
Katovich notes that the future-focused priority fits well with American inclinations.
“To look forward – that’s the American way,” he said, “because we like what we have and we want to improve upon it.”
Coverage will also reflect the uncertainties that lie ahead, including the search for the best way to remember Sept. 11, 2001, which has not been decided and may not be for some time.
Odds are, Katovich said, that the search will yield a strengthening agent.
“Even if it’s a gruesome thing that’s happened, [Americans] make it confirm something about us, and that enables us to deal with it.
“We’ll find that our spirit is one of overcoming obstacles. Most Americans have a pragmatic orientation,” he said. “We can make it into something good.”
