Jeff Thomas
New member
Now, this subject really chaps my hide, but my feelings are based upon impressions - not anything akin to a scientific study. Please tell me if I'm off base, or if your impressions are the same. Especially, please tell me if you've seen any studies or other evidence bearing on this issue.
In a related thread ('Armed Woman Kills Rapist') I point out that that article was on the back page (B10, bottom, no less) of the Valley & State section of the Arizona Republic. There were two murder cases on the front page of that section. A few weeks ago we had a cabbie kill a BG who tried to rob and kill the cabbie - that story was placed on an inside page at the bottom.
My impression is that our newspapers bury these stories, or never report them. Yes, I know that all crime is not reported, but it seems to me that our print media goes out of its way to make self defense stories nearly invisible. Our local TV news seems to do a somewhat better job, but not great.
So, is my impression incorrect, or is there some logical principle of journalism that I am missing? I've heard that 'if it bleeds, it leads', but there seems to be sufficient 'bleeding' in all of these stories - I don't see how that explains the discrepancy.
And, if this is true, I think those of us who are willing should call and write editors and bug them about this. I would also like to start citing this reality in speeches. This kind of irresponsible reporting is greatly aiding the distorted cost / benefit comparison that people consider when they debate this issue - the anti-self defense movement relies upon the average person believing (1) that self defense with a firearm is extremely rare, (2) self-defense with a firearm usually injures or kills the wrong person, and (3) citizens are just too incompetent to defend themselves with a firearm.
Perhaps these newspaper bozo's think they encourage vigilantism by placing these stories more appropriately. For me, I draw a distinct line between vigilantism and self defense, and I believe newspapers would do their communities a great service to let citizens know they can defend themselves if necessary, and let BG's know that their crimes may cost them dearly.
Thanks. Regards from AZ
In a related thread ('Armed Woman Kills Rapist') I point out that that article was on the back page (B10, bottom, no less) of the Valley & State section of the Arizona Republic. There were two murder cases on the front page of that section. A few weeks ago we had a cabbie kill a BG who tried to rob and kill the cabbie - that story was placed on an inside page at the bottom.
My impression is that our newspapers bury these stories, or never report them. Yes, I know that all crime is not reported, but it seems to me that our print media goes out of its way to make self defense stories nearly invisible. Our local TV news seems to do a somewhat better job, but not great.
So, is my impression incorrect, or is there some logical principle of journalism that I am missing? I've heard that 'if it bleeds, it leads', but there seems to be sufficient 'bleeding' in all of these stories - I don't see how that explains the discrepancy.
And, if this is true, I think those of us who are willing should call and write editors and bug them about this. I would also like to start citing this reality in speeches. This kind of irresponsible reporting is greatly aiding the distorted cost / benefit comparison that people consider when they debate this issue - the anti-self defense movement relies upon the average person believing (1) that self defense with a firearm is extremely rare, (2) self-defense with a firearm usually injures or kills the wrong person, and (3) citizens are just too incompetent to defend themselves with a firearm.
Perhaps these newspaper bozo's think they encourage vigilantism by placing these stories more appropriately. For me, I draw a distinct line between vigilantism and self defense, and I believe newspapers would do their communities a great service to let citizens know they can defend themselves if necessary, and let BG's know that their crimes may cost them dearly.
Thanks. Regards from AZ