Coverage of latest American mass shooting

I agree that this kind of mass shooting is more common in the US than any where else because of their gun laws. This crime was motivated by racism, rooted deeply in the legacy of slavery. Do you feel that isn't relevant in Europe Riverwalk? I'm not seeking to be confrontational, it's a genuine question.

Yes, Iam I feel that the particular circumstances i.e. freely-available guns is not relevant to us, so there is no need for this mass news coverage, other than say the first day.

It should not be main news here in the UK that many of the families have forgiven the killer - by all means it's of interest but we don't need a blow-by-blow account of how the story is developing. There is no parallel here and has no direct relevance to us, apart from it being a human interest story.

Yes we have racism and problems in Europe but mass-killings are rare and usually political.

We can't influence the fact that US citizens have the right to bear arms and so I find it tiresome that we have so much coverage of that issue.

I get where you are coming from Riverwalk.

I presume it is a slow news time over here in the UK. I often think that the media pounces on stories that can run and run, in order to fill up the 24hour news slots.
I also think that a killing of 9, complete with total media access to it all, including pictures, is also a reason it is in the news.

The media is a business, and has to have a constant stream of new information.

Are people interested though? I think that they are.

I can understand the coverage. It's even more disturbing given the age of the killer. America has got to sort itself out, gun laws, racial hatred, the mental health issues of so many, the lot.

I don't think you can give too much coverage to the reaction of this group of bereaved families and friends. It makes a welcome and uplifting change from the usual calls for vengeance and the excuse for riots if there's a race element. And the endless embracing of victimhood, blame and demands for compensation on every pretext.

Does anyone else think that if the killer were black he would be labelled a 'terrorist' rather than 'killer'?

So killing by a terrorist is newsworthy but killing by a racist isn't ? No difference between a white supremacist and a Muslim terrorist

I didn't say it wasn't newsworthy.

My point is the extent of the UK news coverage and dwelling on the availability of arms in the US - obviously in the US it should still be main-line news as they have a vested interest and are directly affected. They can also effect any change in their laws - it's outside our control and we have no say in the matter, so why the fascinated interest by the media days after the event?

It seems now that he wasn't a white supremacist as he had black friends and was originally planning to attack the university - he was a crazy mixed-up kid, who was given a gun for his birthday.

Not a white supremacist but wears badges of white supremacist groups, shall we say any terrorist of this age or younger is just a crazy mixed up kid with a bomb?

And in these days of hang em , give me compensation for my trauma etc I think we need more coverage of people who can extend forgiveness

Yes. You're right Riverwalk. It actually wasn't a race crime, or so it seems. Mental health issues I guess. (combined with the ridiculous gun laws)

On a similar theme, I listen to the BBC World Service overnight.

A few weeks ago after yet another killing by a white US policeman of an unarmed black man which was caught on camera, it was the first item on the news throughout the night! I think the fact that there is camera footage encourages the endless repeating of the story.

I can't imagine the listeners in war-torn Syria/Iraq/Ukraine, or those living in poverty and squalor in refugee camps, or scraping a living in some sun-baked hellhole are really interested in such an event.

All out of proportion IMO.

I was listening to a representative of the NRA saying that this would not have happened had the congregation been carrying guns themselves. How much lower can you sink to express a view like this ?

I wonder if we have the right to forgive someone for taking another's life. Surely only the dead could really do that.

I feel some compassion for this man. He is so young. Something has gone very wrong in his life.

Anya

Riverwalk I think the coverage is justified inasmuch as it is highlighting the racism issue in the USA, something which we hoped had been largely overcome, but seems to be raising its ugly head again.

I have given up on the idea of Americans wanting to give up its guns.

One of my sons recently lived with the average American young people, in different states of America, for a number of weeks at the end of last year.
Guns are everywhere. In Walmart. In gun shops. In most rooms of a lot of peoples' houses. It is part of the American psyche, part of their history. They are nowhere near wanting to give them up.

Very easy access for any mixed up kid.

America knows it has got problems. But doesnt appear to know how to fix them.

It's such a huge country. They need to tackle it state by state.

But jingl he is 21 not a child. Granted how is 'young' but he is old enough to know right from wrong, and this action was planned. I cannot find it in my heart to feel any compassion for him when he was welcomed into this group and relayed their kindness by gunning them down in cold blood just because of their colour.

I can certainly imagine the environment he was brought up in, but that doesn't excuse his actions.

I should add that guns are very much used as "recreation" too. Fun eh?

I'm not excusing him in any way, but I think at 21 some people are not fully adult. Don't get me wrong, I have far more sorrow for the victims, and for their loved ones. But still....

Ah now soon. There is nothing wrong with using guns as recreation. Shooting is an Olympic skill.

We do gun sports extremely well in this country. Although I know it has been known to go wrong.

Jingle, I don't think anyone can extend forgiveness for another but this forgiveness seems a forgiveness for the suffering the bereaved are struggling with