Unveiling repetitive visual stages: Media narratives and school shooting coverage post-columbine

This study examines the visual coverage of school shootings, highlighting the impact of journalistic routines. Analyzing ten incidents post-Columbine, it identifies enduring stages in photojournalism. The findings align with theoretical perspectives on news routines, showcasing the influence of these frameworks on media content. The routinization of media processes, as reflected in consistent coverage stages, shapes public understanding while risking desensitization and inaction. Stage 1 focuses on immediate, intense reporting, while Stage 2 provides reflective, contextual narratives.