Study: Media-reporting of mass-shooters strongly depends on race of mass-shooter.

[DetlefK]

https://theconversation.com/race-of-mass-shooters-influences-how-the-media-cover-their-crimes-new-study-shows-100152

For the study, we randomly selected 433 online and print news articles covering 219 mass shootings from 2013 to 2015. While definitions of a mass shooting can vary, we adhered to the one most commonly used in empirical research: an event in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.

Next, we created a unique data set based on information provided in the articles. We coded each article for a variety of variables associated with the crime and the shooter, including setting of the shooting, number and gender of victims killed and injured and age of the shooter.

After analyzing the data, we found that the shooter’s race could strongly predict whether the media framed him as mentally ill. (Less than 1 percent of the crimes had a female perpetrator.)

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[ck4829]

1. Very interesting

[Chemisse]

2. "Mass shooting" covers a lot of territory.

Does it include gang-related shootings? Paid hits? Domestic murders? School shootings?

How we interpret the character of the killer would naturally depend on the circumstances.

Now if they looked at all domestic mass murders, for example, they might in fact find similar results, but the study would hold more validity.

[dumbcat]

3. From the OP

"While definitions of a mass shooting can vary, we adhered to the one most commonly used in empirical research: an event in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter. "

[Chemisse]

4. Yeah, I saw that. Thus my criticism.

For example, school shooters are all white. They are more often perceived as victims, good character, etc. Is that because of the type of crime or the race of the perpertraters? I suspect there would be a big difference depending on race, but this study does not demonstrate that. It would be more valid if it compared public or media responses to the same type of crime.

To be clear, I am not disputing the difference in perception based on race. I think a well-designed study would show something similar. But I am a person of science and poorly designed studies are a pet peeve of mine.

[braddy]

5. You are correct, a bizarre act versus a pro criminal doing something as part of his crime life.

The 50 year old church going businessman murdering his family is different from a drive by or an invasion robbery group execution.

[jcgoldie]

6. we knew this