Is the media frenzy over shootings actually helping?

[Glenn_S]

Sounds weird, right? But lets look at it...

I've noticed over the last few weeks a lot more reporting on every shooting, no matter the level. The media keeps trying to whip us into a frenzy, similar to Sandy Hook. Particularly with the 1 year anniversary coming up.

What I sense is the general public and the pols becoming desensitized to these shootings. Not even any water cooler talk going on anymore, and I work in a very touchy-feely industry. Basically, I think there is a fatigue around hearing about shootings all the time, and the righteous indignation just isn't what it was. Now that doesn't mean that the anti's such as heather won't try to have their time in the sun, but I think people are just tired of hearing about it.

While shootings are never good, the over-reporting may work in our favor, just as the anti's never let a good tragedy go to waste.

Even if this is happening, we can't get complacent or the tide will roll over us. But maybe, just maybe, people are tiring of the likes of heather screeching that we are all going to die...

[Ironbear]

...
While shootings are never good, the over-reporting may work in our favor, just as the anti's never let a good tragedy go to waste.
...

You don't read much about it, but there are occasional articles, about how after one of these tragedies there is a small spike in people getting training and buying guns.

[RealDeal]

The news of the day about healthcare, the government, the impending election, and the holiday season approaching, will help divert most of the attention away from incidents rather quickly. I agree people are becoming weary of the drum pounding, but our guard should not be let down one bit. The anti's will not back off, especially with the help of the media jackals.

[connsolo]

Sounds weird, right? But lets look at it...

I've noticed over the last few weeks a lot more reporting on every shooting, no matter the level. The media keeps trying to whip us into a frenzy, similar to Sandy Hook. Particularly with the 1 year anniversary coming up.

What I sense is the general public and the pols becoming desensitized to these shootings. Not even any water cooler talk going on anymore, and I work in a very touchy-feely industry. Basically, I think there is a fatigue around hearing about shootings all the time, and the righteous indignation just isn't what it was. Now that doesn't mean that the anti's such as heather won't try to have their time in the sun, but I think people are just tired of hearing about it.

While shootings are never good, the over-reporting may work in our favor, just as the anti's never let a good tragedy go to waste.

Even if this is happening, we can't get complacent or the tide will roll over us. But maybe, just maybe, people are tiring of the likes of heather screeching that we are all going to die...

I think there is a difference between a random crazy shooting one or two people and epic tragedies like sandy hook and aurora Colorado, and most know it. Reporting on these incidents is important, but can definitely be harmful as well by encouraging copycats.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_suicide