Full coverage
How we photographed Chicago firefighters commemorating 9/11 on the 25th anniversary
By Extra Extra Editorial
Cross-spectrum analysis, synthesized with AI from 41 sources · Updated
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, American media outlets across the political spectrum devoted extensive coverage to commemorative events and reflections. Major focal points included official ceremonies at the Pentagon, firefighter tributes in Chicago, and broader national remembrance activities. The coverage emphasized both the historical significance of the attacks and their ongoing relevance to contemporary American identity and governance.
Left-leaning outlets prioritize grassroots commemorations and community-level remembrance, with particular emphasis on firefighters and first responders as emblematic heroes. These sources tend to frame 9/11 through the lens of national unity and shared values that transcend partisan divisions.
Center and independent sources adopt a documentary approach, emphasizing visual coverage of ceremonies and reflective pieces on how younger generations relate to the attacks. These outlets balance official commemorations with broader questions about institutional memory and what 9/11 means for public service.
Right-leaning outlets frame the anniversary through the lens of Islamic terrorism and national security, while also critiquing how mainstream media outlets approach the commemoration. Some sources use the occasion to comment on contemporary political divisions and how different groups remember the event.
Key Differences
- Left sources emphasize first responders and community solidarity; right sources emphasize the terrorist nature of the attacks and national security implications
- Center outlets focus on generational perspectives and institutional reflection; right outlets critique mainstream media's framing of the anniversary
- Left coverage dominates the overall volume (23 sources vs. 7 right-leaning), suggesting asymmetric media attention to commemorative events
How this story is being covered
Extra Extra has grouped 41 reports on this story from 33 news outlets across the political spectrum. By political lean, that breaks down as 23 left-leaning, 11 center, and 7 right-leaning sources.
With a coverage-diversity score of 89 out of 100, this is one of the more evenly reported stories in our index right now — left, center, and right outlets are all giving it attention.
On reliability, 29 of the 33 rated outlets carry a high or mostly-factual reliability rating (A or B) and 4 outlets fall into our mixed or lower-reliability tier (C or D). Ratings are drawn from independent assessments and are meant to help you weigh each report, not to tell you which to trust.
This story has been covered over the span of about 3 days, making it a longer-running thread rather than a single news flash.
Below, the same story is laid out side by side as left, center, and right outlets reported it. Read across the columns and watch what changes: the headline emphasis, which facts lead, the adjectives, and what each side leaves out. The story itself rarely changes — the framing almost always does.
Outlets covering this story: ABC News, Chicago Sun-Times, CBS News, TIME, Colorado Newsline, Georgia Recorder, Wisconsin Examiner, The Nation, Washington Post, Oregon Capital Chronicle, Tennessee Lookout, Michigan Advance, Louisiana Illuminator, Florida Phoenix, Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Minnesota Reformer, Iowa Capital Dispatch, Nebraska Examiner, Military.com, CNBC, Lawfare, Full Fact, PBS NewsHour, Government Executive, Spectrum News NY1, Roll Call, American Greatness, The Free Press, Free Beacon, Issues & Insights, Not the Bee, National Review.
Left(23)
ABC NewsBSep 11, 1:38 PM
Trump commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon
President Donald Trump is observing the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon
Chicago Sun-TimesBSep 12, 11:00 AM
How we photographed Chicago firefighters commemorating 9/11 on the 25th anniversary
This week’s top photo comes from photojournalist and Photo Desk Editor Ashlee Rezin. Follow her on X and Instagram. What makes this photo important? Nearly every American above a certain age remembers
CBS NewsBSep 12, 4:00 AM
9/11: We Remember
CBS News marks 25 years since the 9/11 terror attacks through powerful stories of survival, loss and resilience.
CBS NewsBSep 12, 2:55 AM
25 years after 9/11 attacks, America reflects and remembers
Four former presidents were at the World Trade Center memorial site for 9/11 commemorations, while President Trump spoke at the Pentagon.
TIMEBSep 11, 11:00 AM
25 Years After 9/11, Americans Must Remember What Binds Us
The victims of 9/11 “represented the American experiment itself,” writes Joe Daniels, founding president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Colorado NewslineBSep 11, 9:50 AM
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, States Newsroom editor remembers the heroes of Flight 93
On a rural stretch of land in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, an open meadow filled with bright wildflowers, a memorial grove of trees and a giant boulder marks the spot where United Airlines Flight 93
Georgia RecorderBSep 11, 9:00 AM
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, States Newsroom editor remembers the heroes of Flight 93
On a rural stretch of land in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, an open meadow filled with bright wildflowers, a memorial grove of trees and a giant boulder marks the spot where United Airlines Flight 93
Wisconsin ExaminerBSep 11, 7:44 AM
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, States Newsroom editor remembers the heroes of Flight 93
On a rural stretch of land in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, an open meadow filled with bright wildflowers, a memorial grove of trees and a giant boulder marks the spot where United Airlines Flight 93
The NationBSep 11, 9:30 AM
How The Nation Covered 9/11
Katrina vanden Heuvel Our phone lines were down. People were weeping. But we got an issue out the door with morality, justice, and nuance. The post How <em>The Nation</em> Covered 9/11 appeared firs
Washington PostASep 12, 12:36 AM
How America remembered 9/11, in photos
Americans gathered at the Pentagon, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the New York City area on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Oregon Capital ChronicleBSep 11, 10:21 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Tennessee LookoutBSep 11, 10:12 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Michigan AdvanceBSep 11, 9:42 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Wisconsin ExaminerBSep 11, 8:16 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Louisiana IlluminatorBSep 11, 8:15 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Florida PhoenixBSep 11, 7:59 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Missouri IndependentBSep 11, 7:55 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Colorado NewslineBSep 11, 7:54 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Kansas ReflectorBSep 11, 7:31 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Minnesota ReformerBSep 11, 7:30 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Iowa Capital DispatchBSep 11, 7:27 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Nebraska ExaminerBSep 11, 7:23 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Georgia RecorderBSep 11, 7:19 PM
Frustrations, remorse and pain surface on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Powerful U.S. officials past and present faced families, survivors and first responders Friday at ceremonies to honor the 25th anniversary of the day 2,977 Americans died in terrorist attacks in Virgi
Center(11)
Military.comBSep 11, 7:19 PM
Trump Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks at the Pentagon
In his remarks, Trump recounted the stories of several of the victims and insisted that the moment has led to a fortification of American resolve.
CNBCBSep 11, 10:42 PM
In pictures: The U.S. commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11
On Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing thousands. Photos capture those marking the 25th anniversary.
LawfareASep 11, 12:00 PM
25th Anniversary of 9/11 - lawfaremedia.org
25th Anniversary of 9/11 lawfaremedia.org
Full FactASep 11, 3:59 PM
Baseless 9/11 claim recirculates on 25th anniversary of the attacks
Posts suggesting that planes did not cause the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings continue to be shared online. This isn’t the case, according to official investigations and independent expe
PBS NewsHourASep 11, 7:48 PM
PHOTOS: Americans mark 25th anniversary of 9/11
Ceremonies were held at memorial sites in New York City, northern Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania, where people laid wreaths and flowers, held moments of silence and loved ones read the names o
Government ExecutiveBSep 11, 9:59 AM
What does 9/11 mean for young public servants who hardly remember it?
Although they may have limited memories of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, some people say the events still shaped their career decisions.
Spectrum News NY1ASep 12, 2:04 AM
Green-Wood Cemetery remembers victims of 9/11 attacks
More than 100 people laid to rest at the cemetery, who officials say either died on Sept. 11 or in the years that followed.
Government ExecutiveBSep 11, 2:12 PM
On 9/11’s 25th anniversary, modernizing government starts with remembering our past
COMMENTARY | Federal agencies still struggle to share information across organizational boundaries. The lessons of the post-9/11 reforms could help agency leaders build the data infrastructure needed
Roll CallASep 11, 3:18 PM
Former House members reflect on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Former Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., stood on the House steps of the Capitol under silver clouds on Friday morning, remembering how she had gathered outside with colleagues 25 years ago, unsure of what
Spectrum News NY1ASep 11, 8:49 PM
Former police commissioner reflects on the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11
Former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly began his second stint as head of the NYPD just months after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Spectrum News NY1ASep 12, 2:35 AM
Bellinger hits 3-run homer as Yankees beat Mets 6-4 on 25th anniversary of 9/11
Ben Rice also homered as the Yankees (85-62) won for the 17th time in 24 games.
Right(7)
American GreatnessCSep 11, 9:18 AM
Morning Greatness: America Observes the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Islamic Terror Attacks
We observe 9/11 anniversary today, WSJ claims Iran is building more ballistic missiles, the EPA is slashing regulations and ABC/Jimmy Kimmel cry about the fair use regulation. Source
The Free PressBSep 11, 1:23 PM
How We Remember 9/11
Survivors, first responders, and witnesses recall that day and its aftermath, 25 years later.
Free BeaconCSep 11, 9:00 AM
WATCH: How Democrats Remember 9/11
It's been 25 years since terrorists attacked the United States and killed 3,000 Americans. At the time, most people could agree that this was bad. The post WATCH: How Democrats Remember 9/11 appeared
Issues & InsightsCSep 9, 8:15 AM
What We’re Reading: How To Remember 9/11, Trumponomics, Bankrupt Iran … And More
Some headlines, issues and news that caught our eye. How Will We Remember 9/11? Never Forget 9/11 — Cal Thomas, Townhall American Heroes of 9/11: Todd Beamer and the Passengers of Flight 93 — Townhall
Not the BeeDSep 11, 5:25 PM
Here's how The New York Times is covering the 25th anniversary of 9/11
It's safe to say New York has forgotten.
National ReviewBSep 11, 10:30 AM
Remembering 9/11 at the Movies
The films that take stock of cultural memory.
Not the BeeDSep 12, 12:41 PM
Pro-Palestine knucklehead gets rocked by security after rushing the field during Yankees-Mets 9/11 anniversary game
Last night, during the Subway Series Mets vs. Yankees 9/11 tribute game, reportedly exactly at 9:11 p.m., one of the morons that New York is becoming known for jumped out of the crowd onto the field,
Get this analysis in your inbox
The Daily Spectrum: one email, three perspectives on the day's biggest stories.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam.
New to comparing coverage? Start with our guides to reading the news critically.
Back to Compare