"This museum is a place that reminds us of all the people that are still today leading such difficult dangerous and also very meaningful lives to defend freedom of the press in the world. They are defending freedom of the press, which means defending democracy so the rest of us can happily take it for granted...
I think the very important question is what do we fight for, since we have the freedom of the press established. And are we capable of not only asking questions of people in power, but also of questioning ourselves. I don’t know any great journalist who skips that part of the work....Fear really brings on ignorance and it is our work as journalists to inform people, enlighten and educate people... Journalism is the best tool to combat ignorance and empower people."
— Mariane Pearl, international journalist and author at the 2008 Internews Media Leadership Awards
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Mariane Pearl has reported and produced documentaries on culture, science, immigration, and politics. In 2006, Pearl began traveling the globe for Glamour magazine to profile courageous women and show that hope is stronger than fear. While writing her monthly Global Diary column, Pearl met many brave, determined women who make the world a more just and harmonious place despite personal hardship, discouraging odds and even death threats. She authored the 2007 book, In Search of Hope: The Global Diaries of Mariane Pearl to introduce readers to these everyday heroes.
Pearl wrote the book, A Mighty Heart about the experience of her husband Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping and murder in Karachi, Pakistan in 2002 while reporting for the Wall Street Journal. The film A Mighty Heart, starring Angelina Jolie as Mariane Pearl, was released in theaters in 2007 to critical acclaim.
Pearl is Co-Founder of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, an organization formed by Daniel’s family and friends to further the ideals that inspired his life and work. The foundation’s mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications.