Dave Cullen’s book Columbine gives readers a well-thought-out and in-depth exploration and analysis of the infamous school shooting. The book primarily focuses on the events leading up to the shooting and during the horrific tragedy, however, it also provides strong ideas about the role of the media and ways of understanding the devastating events. The media played a significant role in sculpting the views and perspectives surrounding the Columbine tragedy. In the aftermath of the shooting, news outlets rushed to report information they weren't sure was true, often leading to false ideas, rumors, and facts that misled the general public. However, public pressure could be exerted on the various media outlets and individual contributors to change their reporting tactics. (Meindl and Ivy) The media's fast speed in reporting on events for ratings and viewership led to misconceptions about the shooters. As an example, reports, in the beginning, describe the two Shooters as bullied victims seeking revenge, while later investigations revealed they were driven by mental health issues and a desire for fame. The portrayal of the shooters as so-called monsters and evil people gave them the attention and legacy they truly wanted. this focus on the …show more content…
The relentless media coverage of mass shootings like Columbine contributes to inspiring potential copycats and more acts of violence. Several studies have demonstrated a connection between media coverage of mass shootings in similar incidents that happen later, showing how the media accidentally encourages a so-called cycle of violence. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, intense media coverage and other publicity can contribute to an increase in the likelihood of similar events and tragedies occurring within the following weeks. This emphasizes the responsibility the media organizations have to report