Ethics of Mass Media - Article Example

Ethics of Mass Media The way the news media should cover mass shooters is a being ethical challenge. This is evidenced in the article “Taking a Different Ethical Approach in the Media Coverage of Mass Shooters,” retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/10/09/how-should-the-news-media-cover-mass-shooters/taking-a-different-ethical-approach-in-the-media-coverage-of-mass-shooters. There is a rising body of forensic evidence that indicate that mass shooters tend to emulate their most infamous predecessors.

This copycat problem is very serious since most of the people who plan and execute such crimes are greatly influenced by previous attacks’ sensational news coverage. Taking that into account, I think the press should be extra mindful of the way they cover the news regarding murderers in killings. For instance, the way the Mass media covered the Oregon killing posed an ethical issue considering the possible effect it may have copycat crimes. Journalists should take another ethical approach to help lower the frequency of such killings while maintaining their aggressive and robust reporting.

I tend to think that is not very unethical to use such graphical images or keep the names of the killers in headlines as it encourages copycats. It is unethical for mass media to publicize manifesto or video rant of killers in full. My own response is that just summarizing the salient materials tend to be smarter than propagating the demented bid for glory of killers. This will not interfere with the reporting because juveniles and rape victims charged are never named in news reports and yet wide coverage is still given to the issue.

In addition, news organizations rarely cover the plight of American journalists taken hostage overseas to safeguard their safety. Mass media should avoid this unethical practice while informing the public to reduce the copycat problem that greatly contribute to mass shootings. Work cited Nytimes.com,. Taking A Different Ethical Approach In The Media Coverage Of Mass Shooters - Nytimes.Com. N.p., 2015. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.