This study examined how major U.S. newspapers and television networks covered a crisis involving national interest. The study found newspapers and television networks framed their coverage of 9/11 differently while the difference in frames within the medium was not as evident as between the media. Human interest was framed more remarkably in newspapers coverage than that of television networks and was found an evident frame during the later stage of networks coverage. Media coverage primarily provided factual information rather than offering guide and consolation. The finding suggest in a crisis of national magnitude, the need for guidance and consolation may be overridden by the need for more accurate and helpful information, and media social utility function may be as evidently as under other crisis situations. Government officials were one of the major sources for both newspapers and television networks. But findings indicate government source was dominant in television networks coverage while newspapers used more diversified sources.