Mass Shooting Desensitization

Type of Presentation

Presentation

Description

.

Abstract

In the United States, the frequency in which the incidence of mass shootings occur has steadily increased. As a result, this has triggered an equally intense coverage of this phenomena by legacy media platforms. This paper will present an analysis of The Los Angeles Times newspaper coverage of mass shootings following the January 21, 2023, shooting that occurred inside a dance studio in Monterey Park, California. Legacy media journalists are guided by professional values while at the same time balance their personal judgements within those of the larger institution’s organizational expectations to produce content that ultimately wields certain influence on their audience and their perception of the world. Thematic analysis of the newspaper medium will explore the theories of agenda-setting and framing to uncover journalists’ determination of what is considered “newsworthy” content and their formulaic reporting of mass shootings. The purpose of this research is to gather information to understand how legacy media journalists determine what is considered newsworthy when reporting on perceived public interests related to mass shootings and if the frequency of covering mass shootings affect how a legacy media journalist reports on these phenomena. To answer these questions, all The Los Angeles Times newspaper articles spanning January 21, 2023 through January 25, 2023 containing the key words “mass shooting” will be examined for key themes and constructs. Results from the thematic analysis will be analyzed to determine if the proposed research questions were answered. Based on the research findings, appropriate discussion will be developed and put forth to round out this research.

Faculty Mentor

Lauren Bayliss

Department of Primary Presenter's Major

Interdisciplinary Studies

Location

Armstrong Campus

Symposium Year

2023

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Apr 19th, 12:00 AM

Mass Shooting Desensitization

Armstrong Campus

In the United States, the frequency in which the incidence of mass shootings occur has steadily increased. As a result, this has triggered an equally intense coverage of this phenomena by legacy media platforms. This paper will present an analysis of The Los Angeles Times newspaper coverage of mass shootings following the January 21, 2023, shooting that occurred inside a dance studio in Monterey Park, California. Legacy media journalists are guided by professional values while at the same time balance their personal judgements within those of the larger institution’s organizational expectations to produce content that ultimately wields certain influence on their audience and their perception of the world. Thematic analysis of the newspaper medium will explore the theories of agenda-setting and framing to uncover journalists’ determination of what is considered “newsworthy” content and their formulaic reporting of mass shootings. The purpose of this research is to gather information to understand how legacy media journalists determine what is considered newsworthy when reporting on perceived public interests related to mass shootings and if the frequency of covering mass shootings affect how a legacy media journalist reports on these phenomena. To answer these questions, all The Los Angeles Times newspaper articles spanning January 21, 2023 through January 25, 2023 containing the key words “mass shooting” will be examined for key themes and constructs. Results from the thematic analysis will be analyzed to determine if the proposed research questions were answered. Based on the research findings, appropriate discussion will be developed and put forth to round out this research.