Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Washington, D.C. – Last week, Gun Owners of America (GOA) issued a public service announcement urging members of the public, mass media, and big tech to voluntarily avoid sharing the names and photographs of mass killers.
This is already the policy of Gun Owners of America, and hopefully with more buy in from the public, media, and big tech, society can deny mass killers the fame they desire.
World-renowned psychologist, Dr. Jordan Peterson, argues that much of what drives mass killers is the infamy they will gain over the airwaves and online for carrying out their evil deeds.
Peer-reviewed research confirms this notion that when the media extensively report on mass killings and present photos and detailed reports about the killers themselves, it can cause a “contagion” or “copycat” effect.
SEE ALSO: Garmin Unveils inReach Messenger Plus
This public service announcement by GOA comes on the heels of Elon Musk and X announcing users would be temporarily restricted from searching for the name of the Apalachee High School shooter, but unfortunately, many in big tech continue to promote the names and details of these evil people.
GOA’s Aidan Johnston authored an op-ed in The Blaze this week urging more corporations and society at large to voluntarily adopt similar practices.
Senator Mike Lee and Rep. Andy Ogles have introduced a resolution urging the media to voluntarily adopt such practices, which GOA fully supports.
Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, issued the following statement:
“It’s incumbent upon the media, big tech, and anyone else with a large following to take voluntary and reasonable measures to deny mass killers the free publicity they are seeking. This concept is not new, as quite often a similar practice is already employed when discussing suicides. There’s no reason we cannot, as a society, urge these companies to adopt a similar practice, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact in reducing mass killings.
“GOA is working for real solutions that will have an impact while respecting Americans’ civil liberties, and we won’t stop fighting for that.”
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE! ***
Don’t broadcast the names of mass murders? But Kamalamadingdong is on TV and in the papers every single day. Would someone please tell the media to follow the policy.
I’ve been saying this for years. Too bad I’m not a celebrity; people might listen. This is like the Observer Effect in physics. That which is observed is affected by the mere act of observation; the reality that you observe is created by you. Thanks, news media, and stop blaming guns.
Many years ago, Paul Harvey said, “im sure he would want me to mention his name!” And never again newscast’d the name of such a person, but reported their actions, since he saw they absolutely loved to have their name sprayed across the media. Too few followed his policy then or now.
need to share a gruesome painful death, like using a wood chipper on low speed, to deter it from happening!