Generation Columbine: Ethics of Reporting on School Shootings in the Age of Social Media
Research Mentor(s)
Connell, Joan M.
Description
School shootings raise a number of difficult questions for journalists. Should graphic images be shared alongside breaking news stories? How can news outlets vet sources and information while still keeping up with a 24-hour news cycle? What are the best practices for reaching out to traumatized victims and their communities? How can we portray shooters accurately without contributing to “media contagion”? By studying media trends that have emerged in the two decades since Columbine, this paper aims to shed light on the ethical dilemmas surrounding mass-shootings, particularly those that occur in K-12 schools.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
Department
Journalism
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Mass murder--Press coverage--United States; Violent crimes--Press coverage--United States; Victims--Press coverage--United States; Journalistic ethics
Geographic Coverage
United States
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Generation Columbine: Ethics of Reporting on School Shootings in the Age of Social Media
School shootings raise a number of difficult questions for journalists. Should graphic images be shared alongside breaking news stories? How can news outlets vet sources and information while still keeping up with a 24-hour news cycle? What are the best practices for reaching out to traumatized victims and their communities? How can we portray shooters accurately without contributing to “media contagion”? By studying media trends that have emerged in the two decades since Columbine, this paper aims to shed light on the ethical dilemmas surrounding mass-shootings, particularly those that occur in K-12 schools.