Gen Z Journalists and the Representation of School Shootings: A New Perspective

In the wake of yet another school shooting incident, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel, found itself grappling with a challenging decision. The newspaper's initial plan to focus on the upcoming football season suddenly became irrelevant when an armed individual was reported on campus, leading to a lengthy lockdown and the tragic loss of a faculty member's life. The editorial team faced the daunting task of translating the collective emotions and experiences of their peers into a compelling front-page story, one that would convey the gravity of the situation and offer a unique perspective on the event.

Mass shootings and school shootings have become all too common. Because of the failures of generations before us, members of Gen Z are uniquely positioned to report on these tragedies. This generation, accustomed to lockdown drills and the constant threat of gun violence in educational institutions, understands the fear, frustration, and helplessness that these events evoke.

Emmy Martin, the 2023-24 editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel, saw an opportunity to harness this collective experience. As she sifted through text messages received during the lockdown, she realized that these messages encapsulated the essence of what it meant to be on lockdown during a school shooting incident. “And that’s kind of when it hit me. Everyone was getting these texts, and we were all kind of not having the same experience, but having an experience we all shared together,” said Martin. “That’s when I kind of knew that that is our front page.”

The decision to feature the text messages sent and received by UNC students on the front page was met with enthusiasm. In bold, mostly black typeface, the front page screamed questions like "ARE YOU SAFE? WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU ALONE?" 

“It was just so harrowing to see people’s parents send things to them that I know my mom would send to me,” Yaede said. “I think there was one that was along the lines of, ‘I wish I could just come get you right now.’ And my mom says that to me when I’m sick in my dorm room, let alone when there’s someone armed on our campus. The reaction was so universal. Everyone’s parents felt helpless. All the students felt scared. And no matter how they communicated that — whether it was with expletives or these really heart-wrenching messages to their loved ones — everyone communicated these same emotions of just frustration and fear. It just made me sad.”

The font size decreased as the page progressed, but the impact only grew. Some messages were highlighted in red, chosen for their emotional resonance. This visual storytelling technique allowed readers to immerse themselves in the experience, to feel the fear, and to understand the shared vulnerability of the students during the lockdown.

Courtney Mitchell, general manager and news adviser of The Daily Tar Heel, commended the students for their initiative. “I don’t think anyone else except this generation could give voice and legs to this feeling of what it’s like to be on lockdown, while you know that there have been shots fired, or that’s what you’ve been told and that’s what you’re imagining,” Mitchell said. “And you don’t actually know how bad it is.”

The decision to use text messages as the primary medium for their coverage had a profound impact. It was not just another news report; it was a powerful and emotional representation of the fear, uncertainty, and resilience of the students. Martin shared her experience, saying, "You can feel the fear in that front page, and in those texts." 

The front page quickly gained national attention and was shared widely on social media platforms. The image of the front page was reposted more than 17,000 times on Twitter, illustrating the extent to which this approach resonated with people across the country. “I shed many tears while typing up these heart-wrenching text messages sent and received by UNC students yesterday,” Martin tweeted. “Our campus was on lockdown for more than three hours. Beyond proud of this cover and the team behind it.” It was a stark reminder to viewers that the fear and uncertainty experienced by students at UNC were not unique but shared by many who have lived through similar incidents.

To Gen Z journalists, school shootings are not just headlines; they are experiences, emotions, and narratives. They are lived experiences. To think that we have failed our children so deeply that they are used to shootings is a reality that we, the elder generations, must take responsibility for. The best way? Allowing Gen Z journalists to frame this public issue through their harrowing experiences. As Caitlyn Yaede, the Tar Heel’s print managing editor, aptly put it, "We have more to offer. We have more to say. We have more to share."

Gen Z journalists are making their mark by telling stories that matter. They are giving voice to a generation that has grown up in the shadow of gun violence, and in doing so, they are shedding light on the collective trauma that must be addressed in our society. Their work is a testament to the power of storytelling, empathy, and the enduring hope for change in a world scarred by violence. We have a moral obligation as journalists and human beings to uphold their reporting and to try and affect change in concert with it.