Broadcaster calls for reform on media coverage of mass shootings

There are calls for media outlets to completely censor the names, backgrounds and possible motives of mass shooters around the world.

It’s claimed it would reduce the number of shootings that followed.

Broadcaster Dr Glynn Greensmith is a journalism lecturer at Curtin University and told Neil Mitchell there was absolutely no doubt the media coverage of mass shooting events contributed to their frequency.

“Since they started getting covered a certain way, mass shootings went from these things that happened every five years to 15 a year, around the world and they’ve stayed there ever since,” he said.

He said changing the law shouldn’t be required, calling on the media to “buy in” to the idea.

“I’m not saying it’s rotten and people are doing it deliberately, but news organisations say ‘OK, we want to understand why he may have done this’ and post all the Facebook posts, every video, every diary entry, every letter, every hysterical, screeching thing you’ve ever written, thought, or said in the hope it will help us understand this, when in reality it doesn’t help us understand but it gives them what they look for,” he said.

“By taking that away, we may do something those pathetic politicians in the US seem so unwilling to do which is actually, literally, reduce the frequency and deadliness of this crime.”

Press PLAY below to hear him explain

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