Dr. Nadine Finigan-Carr’s PROGRESS-funded study will examine Maryland news coverage.
University of Maryland School of Social work faculty member Dr. Nadine Finigan-Carr, executive director of the Center for Violence Prevention at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, has been awarded a grant as part of the University of Maryland’s PROGRESS Initiative to study the framing of gun violence in the media. This project, one of three selected for funding, aims to analyze how Maryland-based radio, print, and local television news outlets have depicted gun violence-related topics over the past five years.
The research team, which includes Lawrence Grandpre from Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, will examine how media outlets portray those accused of committing acts of gun violence, victims of gun violence, perceived causes of gun violence, and proposed solutions. The team plans to adapt the Gun Violence Frame Corpus for radio and TV news analysis, focusing on both episodic and thematic news stories.
This study connects to social work by examining how media framing impacts public perception and policy responses to gun violence. Understanding these frames is crucial for social workers addressing the mental health needs of those affected by gun violence and advocating for effective interventions. As changemakers, social workers can use this research to better inform their community-level responses and advocacy efforts for violence prevention and mental health resources.
The PROGRESS Initiative’s support for this research demonstrates a commitment to advancing innovative approaches to gun violence prevention through community-engaged scholarship. By funding projects like Dr. Finigan-Carr’s, PROGRESS aims to cultivate the next generation of thought leaders and problem solvers in addressing this critical public health issue.
Read more <<