Practical Guidance For Covering Community Gun Violence from #BGVR2019
Recap of takeaways from the Better Gun Violence Reporting Summit held in Philadelphia to explore how better journalism can prevent shootings and save lives. Read More
Better Gun Violence Reporting
Association of Gun Violence Reporters aims to link journalists across the U.S.
By Sammy Caiola In the spirit of professional media organizations such as the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Society of Environmental Journalists, four gun violence reporters posted across the U.S. have created the Read More
Better Gun Violence Reporting Toolkit
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Better Gun Violence Reporting Toolkit
News coverage of gun violence often inadvertently perpetuates stereotypical narratives about the people and communities most impacted. Typical coverage focuses on individual episodes of gun violence and often lacks an explanation of what causes it and what could be done to prevent it. These reporting practices can further stigmatize marginalized communities and promote fatalism around gun violence prevention. By changing the way gun violence is covered, reporters can take an active role in minimizing harm to injured people, communities, and society—and even make an important contribution toward preventing gun violence. Read More
No breaking news here
With every new outbreak of gun violence in Philadelphia, we understand that many people may be seeking more information about specific incidents but we do not provide breaking news coverage. Instead, we recommend that those reporting gun violence consider the resources below. Read More
Recap: Better Gun Violence Reporting Workshop, 2022
Philadelphia TV news journalists, community leaders and other experts came together to imagine how we can lead the way in our city to advance the most ethical, empathetic and impactful reporting possible. Read More
Shift the Narrative: Media Panel on Community-Centered Gun Violence Reporting
What does the most ethical, impactful and empathetic reporting look like when covering community gun violence. Our Director of Research Dr. Jessica Beard participated in this media panel addressing the role and responsibilities of the media when reporting on community gun violence in Philadelphia and similar cities. Read More
Philadelphia shooting victim totals for first six months of each year, 2015-2021
More than twice as many people were shot in Philadelphia during the first six months of 2021 when compared with the first six months of 2015. Fatal shootings also doubled from 94 recorded during the first six months of 2015 to 237 in 2021. Read More
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What are the best practices for reporting on gun violence and prevention? Who are the best sources? What does the research tell us? We will offer prompts to begin the conversation each day but we really want to hear what’s on your mind. Just complete the form and watch for an email invitation.
Best Practices for Reporting on Community Gun Violence
This guide has been informed primarily by collective wisdom of those who participated in the Better Gun Violence Reporting Summit in Philadelphia. Read More
The Better Gun Violence Reporting Summit
The inaugural Better Gun Violence Reporting Summit focused on media coverage of community gun violence and took place at WHYY in Philadelphia on November 8, 2019. Read More
Philadelphia journalists respond following a mother’s call to action
Michelle Kerr-Spry had a simple but powerful question to reporters: Why couldn’t she find anything helpful for her in the stories on her son’s death 13 years ago? Read More