We are calling on journalists, news outlets, press associations and similar media organizations to change their standards and regulations for how they report mass shootings. The media should limit their naming, showing images of, or sharing identifying details about mass shooters. The American Psychological Association found that fame is something many mass shooters desire and the media attention surrounding mass shootings has been known to cause copycat attacks. Instead of including the details of the shooter’s identity, the media should redirect attention towards honoring the lives of victims and those affected. Shedding light on those who lost their lives instead of providing notoriety to the shooter decreases the media’s influence on potential copycat mass shooters. 

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Unless the suspect has not been arrested by law enforcement, there are limited reasons to report about the identity of a mass shooter. If media outlets change their ethical reporting standards in regards to mass shootings, they can slow the spread of the mass shooting epidemic in America.