Whenever a mass shooting happens, we look for someone to blame for the terrible tragedy. This is an understandable reaction, because there are perpetrators who are primarily responsible for the event. But it also risks oversimplifying a complex issue that involves multiple factors by creating the illusion that the shooter was the only one responsible. Although individual shooters are obviously responsible for pulling the trigger, there are many factors that push the shooter to take action, such as social isolation, extremist rhetoric or lack of access to social services, to name just a few.
Recently, public officials have taken up the practice of refusing to say a shooter’s name. This prevents a shooter from gaining notoriety, as well as preventing others from being inspired to orchestrate their own shooting in the hopes of getting the same press attention. Unlike public officials, however, the media seems to have no qualms about stating shooters’ name and consequently giving mass shooters the attention that they crave. The practice of identifying a shooter(s) by name must be significantly reduced out of respect for the victims and to reduce the risk of repeats.
The decision not to say the names of shooters has little effect if the media does not comply. In effect, the media is giving the shooter the attention that public officials are trying to deny him or her. Although there is a need to provide information about the shooter to the public, journalists have other ways to reference the shooter. In cases where multiple shooters were involved, journalists should create a system which identifies perpetrators without using their names, perhaps referring to them as Shooter 1 and Shooter 2.
The victims that have lost loved ones also deserve the respect of not having to hear the shooter’s name. These are people who have survived a traumatic situation leaving deep psychological scars. Their wishes should be respected. An excellent example of unnecessary coverage of the shooter was a CNN piece which showed the inside of the shooters’ apartment. This action added nothing meaningful to the story because the FBI had already cleared all evidence from the scene, instead confirming the celebrity-like status of the shooter. All that was needed to attract the attention of the public was the simple fact that the shooters had lived there.
Instead of focusing on the shooters, the press should focus on the heroism, bravery and courage displayed by first responders and victims in the face of horror as well as the stories of those that lost their lives. These individuals saved lives. These individuals deserve to have their stories told — the shooters do not.