[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 123 (Tuesday, July 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2992-S2993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15--CALLING ON THE MEDIA TO ENGAGE IN 
 RESPONSIBLE AND VOLUNTARY JOURNALISTIC PRACTICES TO DENY MASS PUBLIC 
 MURDERERS THE ATTENTION THEY DESIRE AND MINIMIZE ANY POSSIBLE ``MEDIA 
  CONTAGION EFFECT'' OF IRRESPONSIBLE AND SENSATIONALISTIC REPORTING 
                               PRACTICES

  Mr. LEE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 15

       Whereas all acts of mass public murder are shameful, 
     cowardly, sickening, and hereby condemned;
       Whereas many mass public murderers have openly stated their 
     intention to commit mass murder to gain notoriety, infamy, 
     and affect changes in public policy;
       Whereas the United States media widely publicizes these 
     murderers' names, photographs, life stories, motivations, 
     social media posts, and manifestos, giving criminals the 
     notoriety and infamy they desire;
       Whereas media coverage of a mass public murderer routinely 
     outweighs the coverage of the victims;
       Whereas many mass public murderers have researched, 
     studied, and idolized past acts of violence using the 
     sensationalistic coverage provided by many media outlets;
       Whereas peer reviewed research adds to a growing body of 
     evidence suggesting that current media coverage practices 
     concerning mass public shootings demonstrably increase the 
     likelihood of future mass public murders, including--
       (1) a 2016 study entitled ``Mass Shootings and the Media 
     Contagion Effect'' published by the American Psychological 
     Association, which suggests a media contagion effect;
       (2) a 2017 study entitled ``Mass Shootings: The Role of the 
     Media in Promoting Generalized Imitation'' published in the 
     American Journal of Public Health, which suggests a 
     generalized imitation effect; and
       (3) a 2022 study entitled ``News coverage and mass 
     shootings in the US'' published in the European Economic 
     Review, which suggests a behavioral contagion mechanism;
       Whereas research by the Violence Project suggests that mass 
     public shootings are linked to and may be a form of suicide; 
     and
       Whereas the media has found ways to responsibly and 
     voluntarily limit coverage of other sensitive topics such as 
     suicide, kidnapping, and national security for the common 
     good: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress calls upon the media to 
     voluntarily and responsibly--
       (1) cover mass public murderers with the similar 
     sensitivity as other forms of suicide completion, with the 
     understanding that a media contagion effect may encourage 
     additional tragedies;
       (2) prioritize memorialization and coverage of the names, 
     faces, and life stories of innocent victims killed or injured 
     in a mass public murder;
       (3) prioritize coverage of the heroism of any law 
     enforcement, first responders, or bystanders that intervene, 
     interrupt the attack, kill or subdue the mass public 
     murderer, or otherwise assist the victims with critical 
     medical assistance;
       (4) minimize harm by implementing policies and procedures 
     to deny mass public murderers the infamy, notoriety, and 
     public platform they desire;

[[Page S2993]]

       (5) deny mass public murderers their publicity-related 
     motives and intended goals, such as the promotion of a 
     particular ideology or public policy change;
       (6) not name suspected public murderers, except when the 
     alleged assailant is still at large and it would aid in the 
     suspect's capture;
       (7) not publish photos of a suspected public murderer, 
     except when the alleged assailant is still at large and it 
     would aid in the suspect's capture;
       (8) avoid utilizing flattering social media profile 
     pictures and other imagery the mass public murderer proudly 
     took of themselves, shared with others, or posted on social 
     media;
       (9) refrain from naming mass public murderers in headlines 
     and from displaying photos of mass public murderers above the 
     fold of any print copy or at the top of any website's home 
     page; and
       (10) promote data and analysis in mental health, 
     criminology, public safety, self-defense, security, and other 
     relevant professions to support further steps to help 
     eliminate the motivations behind mass public murder and deter 
     future attacks.

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