As with any issue with so many moving parts, a measurable solution to our country’s unique mass murder spree will likely engage many diverse components. A current Mother Jones article attributes the 1999 Columbine media coverage and archival information as documented inspiration for 74 copycat massacre attempts so far. The 21 copycat attacks that were not thwarted resulted in 89 deaths and 126 people wounded.
Of course, there are other factors, but the unfortunate influence of detailed and often sensationalistic media reporting is now a matter of record.
The onus now is on the media to devise a universal model for its coverage of these pointless and unspeakable horrors that balances the public’s need to know with content delivery that does not encourage and inspire more of the same. Substitution of names of the perpetrators with random numbers and omission of exact tallies would be a start, likely removing the two most commonly cited incentives in at least 13 of the attacks.
Piper Stevens, Denver
This letter was published in the Oct. 9 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
