In looking at the media coverage of the Jonesboro school shooting and the multitude of questions that have arisen, it is not surprising that the media began to address the bigger picture.  What happens after a tragedy of this magnitude in the efforts of not allowing history not repeating itself.  As one professor of pediatrics stated, “This isn’t just ‘an Arkansas problem…This is an American problem…’”(1).  After looking at numerous articles, it is clear that the media looked at many concerns and addressed the issues from various angles. The four main premises the media used were:

• the social implications of youth violence
• the alienation of youth
• easy access to guns
• legislative action being taken

A hypothesis can be formulated and tested for each of these concepts using various techniques introduced by theorists Ahongdang Pan and Gerald Kosicki, in an effort to more fully understand the intentions behind the news coverage.(2)  The media uses framing in the news to clearly present information for the audience.  As rhetorician Erving Goffman’s theories indicate, “Frame Analysis maintains that we all actively classify, organize, and interpret our life experiences to make sense of them”(3).  The media facilitates such human action by presenting the news in thematic structures using hypothesis testing.  “A theme is presented or implied, and evidence in the forms of journalists’ observations of actions or quotations of a source is presented to support the hypothesis”(4).

The first hypothesis suggests that our society is more violent and therefore our children are becoming more violent.  Numerous articles highlight violence in the media, film, television, and the move toward a societal acceptance of these trends.  As children are exposed to higher levels of disorder, it is only natural that they would begin to see this as a viable solution to their problems.  One article quotes Dr. Howard Spivak, chairman of the American Association of Pediatrics Task Force on Violence as saying, “We are in a culture where kids are learning to solve their problems and deal with anger through violence….Kids (are) more vulnerable because of the level of violence they’re exposed to themselves, family violence, excessive violence through excessive media watching, exposure to violence in their communities”(5).  Catch phrases such as “A Culture of Violence”(6) are prevalent as are images of students passing through metal detectors, violent movie posters, and children with guns.  Such framing privileges the reader with ideas of a dysfunctional society where children can not help but be influenced toward evil.

    This problematic society frames the next hypothesis to say that children have no one to turn to for guidance and therefore fall back on violence.  One article entitled, “Armed, alienated, and adolescent,” spoke of children who “had trouble adjusting socially”(7).  The shooters were youth who were frustrated with their circumstances and were using violence to teach their peers a lesson of sorts.  The attacks are framed as pre-meditated and vicious with boys giving warnings such as “something big is going to happen,” or they “had a lot of killing to do”(8).  Many of the articles looked to parental guidance, or the lack thereof, and prior abuse of the child.  There is also a focus on the fears of disconnected students intervening and telling adults of such threats and strange behaviors.  “You find out that lots of young people knew that this was a kid who was having trouble with the issues of violence, but they didn’t feel they had anyone to talk to”(9).  Children are framed as the victims of society and poor family circumstances.

Hypothesis 3:  Kids have easy access to guns
 

This these characteristics in mind, the hypothesis that guns are very easy to obtain adds nicely to the equation.  One article entitled, “Kids Can Easily Get Guns,” begins with a cartoon of three boys sitting in desks, with the alphabet running behind them, holding a handgun, a rifle, and long strings of bullets.(10)  The visual is silly, but effective.  As investigations intensify, law enforcement officers are learning that it is very easy for young people to buy guns, usually from legal buyers who resell guns illegally.  “Those guns are just a skip and a jump from retail sale.”  Statistics show that “15% (of students) say they know students who bring guns to school along with their books”(11).  Arkansas state law also states that “Youngsters under 18 cannot buy handguns, but can possess them”(12).  The shooters in Jonesboro had numerous rifles and pistols, but this possession was legal and somewhat normal in that state.  Frames of the accessibility of guns to youth are paralleled with efforts to control gun possession and toughen sentencing for violent youth.

Hypothesis 4: Legislative action will help the problem

     The fourth hypothesis frames the concept that lawmakers are working hard to toughen up the system and punish violent youth more severely.  Law enforcement officers and lawmakers alike are looking to lessen the circulation of guns and increase the magnitude of punishments for such youth.  “Many law enforcement officials are optimistic that by targeting the gun supply, they can prosecute illegal dealers and get the weapons out of circulation”(13).  Lawmakers also want to ensure their continued control of juvenile after their 18th birthdays.  They are also looking at trial procedures.  “After Tuesday’s sentencing, state legislators said they will examine lowering the age at which children could be tried as adults”(14).  Arkansas is talking about building a new facility to accommodate the 11 and 13 year old shooters after their 18th birthdays, as they can be held until they are 21.  One article stating the promises of the governor is entitled, “No 18 and out if teens convicted, Huckabee vows”(15).  The focus is strengthening the justice and law enforcement systems to deal with these new problems that arise.  Youth are no longer simply victims.

Conclusion
 

After looking directly at the Jonesboro shooting and drawing the common themes and concerns, the media transitioned nicely to the broader issues at stake.  By creating hypothesis that could be tested  by the media, the audience is privileged to conclusions of hope and progress.  Although these incidents may be tragic and uncalled for, the future is not completely despairing.  Many of the articles continued to present the serious concerns, but this allows the audience to gain from this experience and take the possibilities of future problems more seriously.  The hypothesis were presented clearly and directly through headlines, catch phrases and visual illustrations.  By examining the framing of the Jonesboro school shooting, one can come to a great understanding of the relationship between the media and the values and norms of the American public.

roundtable discussion with kids in schools
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