Massacre vs. shooting: Exploring CNN and FOX’s coverage of the Uvalde Robb Elementary School attack

Abstract

This study dissects FOX News Media (FOX News) and Cable News Network’s (CNN) media coverage differences of the Uvalde, Texas Robb Elementary School terror attack (Uvalde shooting). On March 24, 2022, Salvador Ramos perpetrated a mass shooting, killing 19 children and two teachers and injuring 17 others. This paper showcases that the incident qualifies as terrorism and explores how two major U.S. news outlets framed and covered the incident differently in their headlines, images, captions, sources, and tone. While CNN emphasized police culpability, victim perspectives, and presented a somber tone, FOX News downplayed the severity of the attack, highlighted police preparedness, and maintained a more positive tone regarding law enforcement actions. Through analysis of these framing techniques, this study underscores the importance of media literacy, urging news consumers to critically evaluate the biases of their chosen news sources and understand the impact of political ideologies on framing terrorism incidents.