After the Columbine media coverage, the nation became terrified that our schools were no longer safe, even though the facts show they are safer than ever" (2003, p. 14).

This point is also made by Kondrasuk et al. (2005), who note, "More recently the violent events have garnered increased media coverage due to the dramatic nature of the crimes. In this age of instant communications and open dialogue, the media has almost been forced to report deaths and other violent acts in schools. As such, violence in schools has warranted more attention by researchers and the schools themselves" (p. 638). Likewise, Fast (2003) emphasizes that, "While this [Columbine] was the sixth of such school shootings in 18 months, it riveted the attention of the nation because it involved well-to-do suburban children, had the greatest number of victims and because it played out on television" (emphasis added) (Fast, 2003, p. 484)....
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