Stop making mass shooters famous | Tom Teves

TL;DR

This content discusses the need to change the way the media reports on mass shootings in order to reduce the notoriety given to the shooters and protect public safety.

Transcript

Every parent's worst nightmare: July 20, 2012, my phone rings at 4:30 in the morning. It's my son Alex's girlfriend, Amanda, saying hysterically, "Tom, Tom, there's been a shooting, and they dragged me out of the theater. They wouldn't let me stay. I wanted to [stay], but they dragged me out." I say to Amanda, "Amanda, are you OK? Have you been hur... Read More

Key Insights

• 💔 The media's coverage of mass shootings often focuses on the perpetrators, giving them the notoriety they seek, while the victims are overshadowed. This needs to change.
• 💡 By reducing the attention given to shooters, the media can help reduce the number of mass shootings and save lives.
• 📢 "No Notoriety" is a campaign that urges the media to adhere to guidelines such as limiting the use of shooter's names and images, focusing on the victims, and promoting expert analysis on mental health and public safety.
• 🌍 The movement has gained international support, with endorsements from organizations like the FBI and the American Psychiatric Association.
• 🔗 Holding media organizations accountable is crucial in bringing about meaningful change. Boycotting and reaching out to news organizations and their advertisers can make a difference. ⏳ While addressing the gun debate and mental health issues will take time, changing the media's reporting practices can have an immediate impact in reducing the carnage.
• 🚫 This is not a censorship or First Amendment rights infringement; it's about responsible journalism and protecting public safety.
• 👪 By taking action, we have the power to prevent others from becoming victims of random mass shootings. Let's come together to make a change.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the "No Notoriety" campaign?

The purpose of the "No Notoriety" campaign is to challenge the media to protect communities by reducing the notoriety given to mass shooters and promoting responsible journalistic practices.

Q: What common desire do most random mass shooters have?

Most random mass shooters have a desire for notoriety and fame. They seek to become famous by committing acts of violence, as evident from their own statements and actions.

Q: How does the media contribute to the problem of mass shootings?

The media contributes to the problem of mass shootings by giving excessive coverage and attention to the shooters. They often highlight their names, images, and self-serving materials, which inadvertently glorifies their actions and satisfies their desire for fame.

Q: How does the "No Notoriety" campaign propose to address this issue?

The "No Notoriety" campaign proposes three principles: reporting all relevant facts about the shooters while minimizing their names and images, limiting the use of shooter's name and pictures in headlines and prominent locations, and refusing to publish self-serving material provided by the shooters.

Q: How can individuals contribute to the cause of reducing notoriety for mass shooters?

Individuals can contribute by holding media organizations accountable. They can stop consuming and sharing content that gratuitously leverages the names and images of shooters. They should write to producers, editors, station managers, CEOs, and advertisers, urging them to prioritize public safety over profits.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tom and Caren Teves lost their son, Alex, in the Aurora theater shooting in 2012. They realized that mass shooters want notoriety and the media gives it to them, so they started the "No Notoriety" campaign.

• The Teves' propose three guidelines for the media: report all facts about the shooters but minimize their names and images, limit the use of the shooter's name and never include their picture in prominent locations, and refuse to publish any self-serving material provided by the shooter.

• Many experts and organizations endorse the principles of No Notoriety, and the Teves' urge the public to hold the media accountable by reducing viewership, clicks, and support for segments that exploit the names and images of shooters.