Wednesday, May 29, 2019
How should the media cover school shootings, such as last month's attack at UNC Charlotte? These tragedies raise many questions for the media, the biggest of which is whether to name the shooter. Two media ethics experts share their thoughts with guest host Alex Olgin.
Newsrooms across Charlotte sprang into action when a gunman opened fire in a UNC Charlotte classroom. It was an event that rocked the community, but the three cable news networks gave the shooting less than an hour's worth of coverage.
A mass shooting at University of North Carolina at Charlotte left two dead and four injured.
— Media Matters (@mmfa) May 6, 2019
Over four days, it got less than 43 minutes of cable news coverage.
None of the Sunday shows mentioned it.
Full report: https://t.co/rc1DRVLAh4 pic.twitter.com/Em6tg0aNt0
The shooting took place only days after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting - one of the first to unfold through mass media, and one that was pivotal in shaping how the media covered subsequent school shootings.
When a school shooting happens, education reporters are the newsroom equivalent of first responders. I believe we can -- and should -- take special care. h/t @anya1anya @EvieBlad @jessicabakeman @danabanker @kellymcb @mkeierleber @JohnWoodrowCox via @CJR https://t.co/sxpO6Qhace
— Emily Richmond (@EWAEmily) February 14, 2019
What are the best practices for handling these tragedies?
GUEST HOST
Alex Olgin, reporter, WFAE (@Alexolgin)
GUESTS
Emily Richmond, public editor, Education Writers Association (@EWAEmily)
Bruce Shapiro, executive director, Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism