The Washington Post aired a powerful ad narrated by Tom Hanks during Super Bowl LII on Sunday, complete with its “Democracy Dies In Darkness” tagline.
The moving spot begins with shots of memorable news events — the March on Selma, the moon landing, the Oklahoma City bombing — but then shifts to paying tribute to journalists who have been captured or killed.
Among those the ad memorializes is Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, whose murder was reportedly ordered by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Following Khashoggi’s death in October 2018, Trump has so far refused to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the killing.
The Post’s ad follows a similar spot aired by the New York Times during the 2017 Academy Awards, which drew attention to the power in journalism during a time of great turmoil and relentless criticism of the media by President Trump.
When we go off to war.
When we exercise our rights.
When we soar to our greatest heights.
When we mourn and pray.
When our neighbors are at risk.
When our nation is threatened.
There’s someone to gather the facts.
To bring you the story.
No matter the cost.
Because knowing empowers us.
Knowing helps us decide.
Knowing keeps us free.
