The Journalist's Guide to Gun Violence Coverage

Alan Korwin ^ | 1999 | Dr. Michael Brown

[TurboZamboni]

Guns are a sad fact of life in American culture and are a major topic in modern journalism. A good Journalist has a duty to get involved and make a difference in this important societal debate. By following certain guidelines, the concerned Journalist can be assured of having the maximum impact on this shameful problem.

The first principle to remember is that subtle use of terminology can covertly influence the reader. Adjectives should be chosen for maximum anti-gun effect. When describing a gun, attach terms like "automatic," "semi-automatic," "large caliber," "deadly," "high powered," or "powerful." Almost any gun can be described by one or more of these terms. More than two guns should be called an "arsenal."

Try to include the term "assault weapon" if at all possible...

[TurboZamboni]

relevant as ever.

[Red Steel]

Try to include the term "assault weapon" if at all possible...

Before their favorite term "assault weapon" they called every rifle a "sniper rifle."

[grame]

I so noticed this on nightline last night or the night before. Segment present as investigation was more castigation of “you shameful people who have the gall to not only own guns but then to teach your children gun safety also”.. Didn’t need a spoon to gag!

[TigersEye]

If circumstances permit the use of the word ‘compound’ to describe a piece of property is also useful. A more recent addition to this category of terms is the word ‘prepper’ which is best preceded by the highly descriptive word ‘doomsday.’ This will apply if the subject in question has more than a 3 day supply of anything.

[STYRO]

.....terms like “automatic,” “semi-automatic,” “large caliber,” “high powered,” or “powerful.”.....
Yet the same words applied to an automobile make it more appealing.

[Secret Agent Man]

more journalist hypocrisy....

when a driver runs over people, they never mention a person, they say the vehicle struck....

when a lunatic kills people with guns, they talk about the gunman. to personalize it, on purpose.

[Robert357]

I hope folks recognize political satire when they see it.

Satire is usually effective because it has a grain of truth to it.

[higgmeister]

Eventually, the government will have a monopoly on power. Don't worry about the right to freedom of the press, just contact me then for more helpful hints.

Yeah, when the Second gets trashed the First will quickly follow.

[Islander7]

[mc5cents]

[FLAMING DEATH]

One of my favorites that was left out:

Always make sure you give the gun control advocate the last quote in the article. Present the quotes in your article as an argument between the pro gun and pro gun control people, and make sure the final anti gun quote is presented in such a way as to defeat the pro gun arguments that come before it.