A new study out of Ohio State University shows that the media treats white mass shooters more sympathetically than black mass shooters.
White shooters, according to the study, are 95 percent more likely to be described as mentally ill than African Americans, a tack that humanizes the shooter and in doing so, elicits sympathy.
Today on All Sides, we explore the relationship between race and violent crime reporting as well as the media's role in the perpetuation of racial stereotypes involving violent crime.
Guests:
- Scott Duxbury, doctoral student at Ohio State, lead author of the study
- Lanier Holt, assistant professor at Ohio State
- Jaclyn Schildkraut, SUNY Oswego assistant professor