Media coverage surrounding mass violence has a powerful, lasting impact far beyond the initial news cycle. The impulse to tell a complete story can inadvertently amplify the very person responsible for harm, echoing in headlines and looping footage that keep a tragedy in public attention for days, weeks, or even years. Tom Teves, whose son was a victim in the 2012 Aurora shooting, has become a steadfast voice in this conversation. His message is clear and urgent: Stop making mass shooters famous. Redirect the spotlight toward those who were harmed and toward solutions that prevent future tragedies.
Why fame is a danger in coverage
When a shooter’s name, face, and backstory dominate the news, several unintended consequences can follow. Copycat dynamics, sensationalized motives, and the perception of notoriety can inspire others who are grappling with anger, despair, or a desire for attention. For families who are left grieving, this kind of coverage can reopen wounds and force them into the public eye again and again. Teves’s perspective centers on a practical question: what if the focus shifted away from the perpetrator and toward the resilience and needs of survivors and communities?
Tom Teves’s perspective
Teves has spoken about the ethics of reporting on violence and the shared responsibility of media, policymakers, and the public. He argues that the current pattern—nearly ritualistic naming of suspects, repeated footage, and extended analyses of the shooter's mindset—often perpetuates trauma instead of aiding healing or reform. By resisting the urge to crown perpetrators with attention, journalists can help prevent a dangerous cycle and create space for the victims’ voices to be heard. The core idea is simple: public attention should honor those harmed and emphasize prevention, resources, and community support rather than sensationalizing the perpetrator.
Teves’s approach invites a shift in the narrative—from fascination with the shooter to compassion for victims and a focus on how society can prevent future violence.
What the media can do to change the conversation
News organizations wield immense power in shaping public discourse. When coverage is thoughtful and responsible, it can foster understanding, highlight prevention, and support communities in their recovery. Here are practical steps that can make a meaningful difference:
- Center the victims and survivors. Structure stories around those affected—family members, friends, first responders—and share resources for support and advocacy.
- Limit the repetition of the shooter’s name and imagery. Use the initial report to identify the event, then refer to the perpetrator with neutral terms such as “the shooter” or “the suspect” rather than repeated full-name coverage.
- Avoid sensationalized details about motives or methods. Focus on the broader context, such as warning signs, community impact, and policy implications, rather than replicating a “how-to” narrative.
- Highlight prevention and policy responses. Link coverage to concrete steps—gun-safety measures, mental health support, community resilience—so the story contributes to change rather than merely recounting tragedy.
- Provide access to support resources. Include information for counseling, hotlines, and local victim services, recognizing the ongoing needs of those affected.
- Elevate diverse voices. Ensure that survivor stories, especially from underrepresented communities, are heard and honored in a way that respects their dignity and agency.
Guidelines readers can apply in their own consumption
Beyond newsroom ethics, individual readers can influence coverage by asking critical questions and curating what they share. By demanding responsible reporting and supporting organizations that advocate for victims, the public can contribute to a healthier media landscape. Consider these practical actions:
- Critically assess headlines. If a headline seems to glorify the shooter or sensationalize details, seek alternative coverage that centers victims and prevention.
- Share survivor-led and policy-focused resources. Amplify materials that discuss healing, community support, and reforms rather than the perpetrator’s notoriety.
- Support victim-centered journalism. Follow outlets that commit to ethical reporting standards and transparent corrections when necessary.
- Engage in constructive dialogue. Use conversations to promote empathy, reduce sensationalism, and advocate for changes in how violence is covered.
Moving from spectacle to stewardship
Many families touched by gun violence carry the weight of a public narrative that can feel invasive or exploitative. By choosing to deprioritize the notoriety of attackers and elevate the real stories—the losses, the grief, the resilience, and the steps toward prevention—journalism can honor the lives affected and contribute to meaningful change. Tom Teves’s stance isn’t simply a call to silence; it’s a call to stewardship: a commitment to reporting that protects survivors, informs policy, and helps communities heal. In a landscape where every new tragedy risks becoming yesterday’s headline, the question we should ask ourselves is not how to tell the story faster, but how to tell it more humanely—and how to turn that humanity into action.