The statistical evidence is present. According to John Silverstein, there have been more shootings than days this year, a common trend that has continued over the last decade as media coverage for these shootings increased. In other words, the majority of mass shootings are occurring in extremely recent history. With the increase of shootings in a time of intense media coverage, the idea of mass shootings are perpetuated into the world. By simply reporting something and discussing it, you are bringing its matter to the surface of attention. This reaches those who will actively advocate against these mass shootings, but it also reaches those who may be on the verge of deciding whether or not to carry out a mass shooting. In a recent study, results showed that on a smaller scale, suicide and homicide rates increase within towns and cities when other suicides happen first (Gomez-Lievano). Of course, if you take this into consideration, and add the inflated exposure that mass media offers, it can be seen that mass coverage absolutely perpetuates the amount of mass shootings.
In addition to the Contagion effect, the coverage of mass shootings gives these shooters exposure, which may be exactly what they want. When most mass shootings happen, it is more than simply an attack on the victims present, it is usually an attack on society as a whole (School Shootings). These are acts of terror, and they are committed with the sole purpose of releasing anger onto society. By draining media coverage, these shooters insight fear into society as a whole, which is what may cause a future shooter to commit these mass crimes of violence. On the other hand, if the mass media was to dramatically reduce, or even discontinue the coverage on mass shootings, it would take away the central motive to these acts of violence, and would naturally reduce them as a whole (School Shootings).
How Mass Media Affects Gun Violence 