Ideas worth spreading

A call to end the media coverage mass shooters want

1,827,690 views |

Tom Teves |

TEDxMileHigh

• November 2019

On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting in a movie theater of Aurora, Colorado left the town, and its nation, reeling. To many -- including Tom Teves, who lost his son in the tragedy -- the news coverage that followed focused on all the wrong things. Why did the reporting overwhelmingly fixate on the shooter rather than the lives of the victims or the heroic efforts of first responders? With urgency and measure, Teves calls for responsible media attention that acts in the interest of the public (instead of profit) by revoking what shooters want most: infamy.

On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting in a movie theater of Aurora, Colorado left the town, and its nation, reeling. To many -- including Tom Teves, who lost his son in the tragedy -- the news coverage that followed focused on all the wrong things. Why did the reporting overwhelmingly fixate on the shooter rather than the lives of the victims or the heroic efforts of first responders? With urgency and measure, Teves calls for responsible media attention that acts in the interest of the public (instead of profit) by revoking what shooters want most: infamy.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxMileHigh, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

When you see any media organization gratuitously using the names and images of mass shooters — stop watching, listening, clicking, liking and sharing. Write to the producers, editors and station managers. Take note of which advertisers supported a segment, write to their CEOs and speak out on social media. Because together, we can push the media to act in the interest of public safety, not profits.

About the speaker

Tom Teves

Co-founder of the No Notoriety campaign

See speaker profile

Tom Teves urges the leadership of news organizations to find better ways to inform the public about mass shootings that puts safety before profits.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxMileHigh, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

When you see any media organization gratuitously using the names and images of mass shooters — stop watching, listening, clicking, liking and sharing. Write to the producers, editors and station managers. Take note of which advertisers supported a segment, write to their CEOs and speak out on social media. Because together, we can push the media to act in the interest of public safety, not profits.