Headline RoundupMarch 29th, 2023

Polarized Media Defends Different Communities After Nashville Shooting

Summary from the AllSides News Team

After Monday's school shooting in Nashville that left seven people dead, sources across the spectrum moved to defend different groups.

For Context: The LGBTQ+ and Christian communities are the subject of analysis following the shooting. Police identified the shooter, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, as transgender. The shooting happened at a Christian elementary school that Hale once attended. Police say Hale "may have had some resentment" toward the school, and said Hale wrote a manifesto describing the attack plan.

Defense of the LGBTQ+ Community: Left- and center-rated sources like NBC News and Newsweek highlighted coverage Wednesday of fears in the LGBTQ+ community as details of the shooting emerge. Newsweek highlighted advocates who oppose the release of the shooter's manifesto, saying it could fuel "additional glorification of the shooter" and that the focus should be on gun control. NBC News highlighted tweets from Republicans who placed blame for the shooting on transgender "ideas" and hormone treatments.

Defense of the Christian Community: Right-rated sources like Fox News and New York Post (Lean Right bias) prominently featured articles Wednesday about Christians feeling mocked and disrespected after the shooting. Fox highlighted how some headlines and activists after the shooting focused on "moving past thoughts and prayers" for the shooting, and painted that focus as anti-Christian. The Post highlighted how when Biden was told Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) believed the attack targeted Christians, he replied, "Well, I probably don’t then," before saying he was joking.

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