Students attacked at Franklin Regional
“24-Injured in stabbing at Franklin Regional High School,” reported by CBS local news.
KDKA TV news created the #schoolstabbing.
“Flailing away with two kitchen knives, a 16-year-old boy with a ‘blank expression’ stabbed and slashed 21 students and a security guard,” as reported by Kevin Begos and Joe Mandak of the Associated Press per the Observer-Reporter.
KDKA, WPXI and other local news media outlets made the stabbing selfie a viral hit, and turned a boy into a hero.
These are just a few examples of terrible local coverage that the Franklin Regional High School stabbing acquired.
This event was another prime example of the cons of 24-hour news. People want the news, and they want it as soon as possible; for the different news media to provide this service, they lose their credibility.
The actual number of people injured is 21, and the actual hero of the event was the assistant principal who tackled the suspect.
In the heat of the moment, reporters search for anyone with new information, whether it is correct or not, because of this obligation to the viewers.
“Another year, another school, another spasm of violence. Accordingly the media pounced on it, using Twitter, etc., to be the ‘first’ to get the story,” said Greene County Bureau Chief at the Observer-Reporter, Jon Stevens. “It was a tough story to cover, i.e., number of injured kept changing, condition updates, getting that blockbuster interview with students who witnessed the stabbings. I am afraid however, some media types might have embraced the slogan, ‘Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good news story.'”
Even reporting information from a press conference, like the Yellow Jacket did, you can still receive incorrect information such as the number of injured victims.
So what is the solution?
Do your own research.
When you hear of an event like this taking place, remember that this is a confusing time for everyone: reporters, police, students and medics. They are all human and need time to get all the information right, so let’s give it to them.
Is that too much to ask?