Why does the media publicize the shooter?

[Anonymous]

I understand it's the media's job to report on current events. But when the media gives so much coverage to the shooter, showing pictures etc., doesn't that provide motivation for other people to copycat? If they see how much "publicity" these criminals get, won't some deranged people commit similar acts in pursuit of the same "publicity"?

I for one wish I didn't know about any of these people who have committed such terrible acts. But the fact that we as a collective society recognize names like Dylan Klebold, Eric Harris and Adam Lanza the same way we recognize names of athletes or actors is pretty sickening to me.

Am I naive to think that incessant media coverage of these monsters provides even an inkling of motivation for others to commit heinous crimes?

[Anonymous]

I don't know but I feel the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand it's the media's job to report on current events. But when the media gives so much coverage to the shooter, showing pictures etc., doesn't that provide motivation for other people to copycat? If they see how much "publicity" these criminals get, won't some deranged people commit similar acts in pursuit of the same "publicity"?

I for one wish I didn't know about any of these people who have committed such terrible acts. But the fact that we as a collective society recognize names like Dylan Klebold, Eric Harris and Adam Lanza the same way we recognize names of athletes or actors is pretty sickening to me.

Am I naive to think that incessant media coverage of these monsters provides even an inkling of motivation for others to commit heinous crimes?

AGree with you.

[Anonymous]

I never read about these shooters and always try not to look at photos of their faces. I don't want them to be remembered, or to have any influence. But I do look at the pictures of the people who have been struck down, so that there are more people seeing and remembering them. Though of course, this is all pointless anyway.

[Anonymous]

Because people want to know - who? Why? Why did not someone see it coming? Why did they do it, etc.

I totally get your concern, but I don't think it will ever stop because too many people will want answers.

[doodlebug]

Anonymous wrote:Because people want to know - who? Why? Why did not someone see it coming? Why did they do it, etc.

I totally get your concern, but I don't think it will ever stop because too many people will want answers.

i agree with this. people want to know if this is something their brother-friend-neighbor-etc could do or if it was a true monster we should have seen coming.

[Anonymous]

I agree, OP.
And, apparently so does Director Comey (FBI).
He began his statement a few minutes ago by stating he would not use the name of this murderer. He doesn’t want to give them fame.

I think Director Comey is wonderful. I wish he would run for president.

[Anonymous]

doodlebug wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because people want to know - who? Why? Why did not someone see it coming? Why did they do it, etc.

I totally get your concern, but I don't think it will ever stop because too many people will want answers.

i agree with this. people want to know if this is something their brother-friend-neighbor-etc could do or if it was a true monster we should have seen coming.

Yes, but it has become sensationalized.

[Anonymous]

We need to see if we can contain this war and we need to know who to watch. This group has attained chemical and bio WMD as well as dirty bomb ability. They are also pursuing nuclear weapons and probably already have access. War has come to us. It's only going to get worse.

[Anonymous]

Totally agree. They should just say ... "another loser who hates the US and hates gays, women, blacks, etc. has killed a lot of innocent people. And, then they should focus on the victims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand it's the media's job to report on current events. But when the media gives so much coverage to the shooter, showing pictures etc., doesn't that provide motivation for other people to copycat? If they see how much "publicity" these criminals get, won't some deranged people commit similar acts in pursuit of the same "publicity"?

I for one wish I didn't know about any of these people who have committed such terrible acts. But the fact that we as a collective society recognize names like Dylan Klebold, Eric Harris and Adam Lanza the same way we recognize names of athletes or actors is pretty sickening to me.

Am I naive to think that incessant media coverage of these monsters provides even an inkling of motivation for others to commit heinous crimes?

Did you take journalism classes in school?

Journalists cover "who, what, where, when, why and how."

Notice the first: Who. Of course we want to know about who would be driven to do this and why. It's not glorifying them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Did you take journalism classes in school?

Journalists cover "who, what, where, when, why and how."

Notice the first: Who. Of course we want to know about who would be driven to do this and why. It's not glorifying them.

Thanks. Other than the workings of the federal government, Americans are so incredibly ignorant about how the news process works, even the most basic parts.

[Anonymous]

"You click. We get paid."

That's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"You click. We get paid."

That's why.

Yeah, when a guy murders 50 people, we don't to know who did it.

Sincerely,

Nobody

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally agree. They should just say ... "another loser who hates the US and hates gays, women, blacks, etc. has killed a lot of innocent people. And, then they should focus on the victims.

+1. Even though it inspires copycats, people are always going to look to the media for info on the killers. These killers and copycats are almost always males who've failed at life (at least in their eyes) and want to feel powerful and masculine. That's why I think, if we can't get gun control, we should at least portray these fuckers in the media as the losers they are. For example, those captured alive should be issued prison clothes like what babies wear. Let the front page of every newspaper show the killer in court in a tight pink onesie and see how many copycats that inspires.