Photojournalism Coverage of University Mass Shootings: A Comparative Analysis of Visual Coverage Over Time
Abstract
This study compares the visual coverage of the two most recent university mass shootings and the first two, using content analysis informed by Barthes' and Mitchell's semiotics. It discovered desensitization of mass shooting reports and shifts in the level of importance of perpetrators, victims and police officers. Findings suggest that photojournalism in university mass shootings is becoming more reliant on police narratives and control than direct site visual reporting and importance of significant actors has decreased.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Gun Ownership and Violence Research
Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Bullying
Victimization
and Aggression
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Visual Communication Quarterly
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 192–203
- Publication date
- 3 April 2026
- Language
- EN