Mass Media Reporting and Enabling of Mass Shootings
- 24 January 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Cultural Studies ↔ Critical Methodologies
- Vol. 17 (2) , 114-124
Abstract
This article identifies distinct mass media reporting stages used in the coverage of mass killings, and the inspiration they provide for future killers. Ethnographic content analysis was used to identify common and ordered stages/themes expressed through mass media accounts of the massacres committed by Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris (Columbine High School), Seung-Hui Cho (Virginia Tech), James Holmes (Aurora Movie Theater), Adam Lanza (Sandy Hook Elementary School), and Omar Mateen (Pulse nightclub Orlando). Many of these infamous killers reference/discuss their well-publicized prior homicidal role models in self-created archival documents they leave behind. They do not just copycat prior killers, they often relate to them, are inspired by them, and want to outdo them. The entertainment form and logic of mass mediated news provides the inspiration and fuel for later killings.Keywords
This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
- Mass Shootings in AmericaHomicide Studies, 2013
- Shooting for AccuracyHomicide Studies, 2013
- The Nature of Mass Murder and Autogenic MassacreJournal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 2009
- The Columbine Shootings and the Discourse of FearAmerican Behavioral Scientist, 2009
- The Lessons of Columbine, Part IAmerican Behavioral Scientist, 2009
- The Media Spectacle of ColumbineAmerican Behavioral Scientist, 2009
- Dress‐Related Responses to the Columbine Shootings: Other‐Imposed and Self‐DesignedFamily and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 2002
- Dramatic Self ChangeThe Sociological Quarterly, 1995
- Rhetoric in Claims-Making: Constructing the Missing Children ProblemSocial Problems, 1987
- Cultural Indicators: Violence Profile No. 9Journal of Communication, 1978