Senator Mike Lee of Utah and Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee have introduced a joint resolution aimed at urging the media to adopt more responsible journalistic practices when reporting on mass shootings. The resolution is intended to reduce what has been termed the “media contagion effect,” a phenomenon in which sensationalized coverage of mass public murders increases the likelihood of subsequent shootings. 

Sen. Lee’s Stance: Reducing Notoriety to Prevent Future Violence

In a press release, Sen. Lee emphasized the role of the media in potentially amplifying mass violence. He argued that media outlets often focus on the perpetrators of mass murders, granting them the notoriety they seek and thereby fueling a cycle of violence.

“By refusing to give mass murderers the attention they desire, we can effectively combat the ‘media contagion effect’ that fuels more violence,” Lee stated. “Research shows that such irresponsible coverage can ignite violence and perpetuate a dangerous cycle of copycat killers.”

Studies, such as the 2016 report by the American Psychological Association, have backed up claims of a media contagion effect, suggesting that intense media focus on mass shootings can indeed encourage others to commit similar crimes . This resolution aims to shift the narrative toward a more balanced and ethical approach.

Congressman Ogles: Calling for Media Responsibility

Rep. Andy Ogles echoed Lee’s concerns, recalling the tragic shooting at Covenant School in Nashville that claimed six lives. He criticized the media’s focus on the shooter and argued that this type of coverage not only sensationalizes the crime but may also inspire future tragedies.

“This resolution simply asks the media to do their work responsibly and stop sensationalizing the despicable acts of mass murderers,” Ogles said. He pointed to other sensitive topics, such as suicides, which are handled with more caution by the media, calling for similar standards in reporting mass shootings.

Dr. Jordan Peterson: A Psychologist’s Perspective on Media and Violence

Dr. Jordan Peterson, a famed psychologist who has extensively studied human behavior, also weighed in on the issue, expressing support for the resolution. Peterson noted that mass shooters often crave notoriety and denying them this fame would significantly reduce their motivation.

“We could choose, as a society, to make mass shootings exceedingly rare,” Peterson said. “Doing so will require the press…to withhold from the mass shooters what they all desperately and murderously desire: fame.”

Gun Owners of America Supports the Measure

Aidan Johnston, the Federal Affairs Director for Gun Owners of America, commended the resolution for challenging the media’s coverage of mass shootings, which he believes often serves to advance an anti-gun narrative. He argued that sensationalized reporting not only distorts the debate around gun violence but also increases the likelihood of more attacks.

“The media loves to sensationalize mass murders because, by and large, it helps them drive home their preferred narrative: guns and gun owners are to blame,” Johnston said. “This documented ‘media contagion effect’ is real.”

Studies Backing the Media Contagion Effect

Multiple studies support the resolution’s concerns. A 2015 Arizona State University study and a 2020 study by Northeastern University found that mass shootings often spur subsequent acts of violence in the short term. This contagion effect has been likened to a “statistical process,” according to James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology.

A 2022 study published in the European Economic Review suggested that mass shooting events not only create a copycat effect but can also exacerbate long-term mental health crises. The resolution highlights these findings to bolster its call for the media to adopt a more responsible approach in reporting these tragedies.

A Call for Responsible Journalism

The resolution introduced by Sen. Lee and Rep. Ogles calls upon the media to adopt voluntary guidelines that would prioritize the stories of victims and the heroes who respond to these events. The measure specifically asks that the names and faces of perpetrators be omitted to deny them the notoriety they often seek. But again, it is a formal request, not an act of law, nor could it ever be. Doing so would be a violation of the First Amendment, a wrong that would be as egregious as violating the Second Amendment or any other one for that matter.

And it is understandable the position this puts the media in for the simple matter that the public wants to know the facts of any newsworthy event and that is the role of the media to provide that. But there is also a precedent set by the media for withholding information the public might also be interested in reading about, such as the names of suicide victims or rape victims and certainly in the instances when minors are victims of family violence or sexual abuse. The media and society in general all pretty much agree the value of protecting the innocent and vulnerable in light of such heinous acts far outweighs the need for the public to know. This is also the case when mass murderers seek notoriety for their acts. Kill the spotlight and the inducement to commit such acts is reduced, not eliminated. But it is a start.

In an Ammoland article on the subject, John Crump writes:

“In 2019, several journalists, including this journalist, pledged to stop naming the killers. This movement was started by groups such as ‘No Notoriety.’ No Notoriety is an organization of data scientists that look at the breakdown of mass shooters and their motives. They discovered that most mass shooters are seeking fame, although many have other motives as well. They reason that if we can eliminate the social contagion aspect, we can save lives.

“’Don’t Name Them‘ is another organization that has researched the social contagion aspect of mass shooters. The organization is based at Texas State University and has committed a lot of time and effort to study the impact of media organizations sharing the names and pictures of mass shooters. Their conclusion is that of every other peer-reviewed study. One of the main driving factors in mass shootings is the mentally deranged individual seeking fame.“

While TTAG has taken no formal position on the matter, it has been discussed among some of the team here and will likely take the same position to begin omitting the name of such shooters. More to come on that.

But Senatos Lee and Ogle’s resolution casts a fresh light on a much needed discussion among the media. If successful, the resolution could mark a turning point in how the media covers mass shootings and play a role in reducing the occurrence of these tragic events in the future.