US EditionGraphic video of Kirk shooting was everywhere online, showing how media gatekeeper role has changed
- Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
- The shooting occurred before hundreds of people, many of whom recorded the event on their phones and quickly shared graphic videos online.
- Traditional news outlets exercised caution by avoiding explicit footage, instead showing moments before and after the shooting to limit audience exposure.
- YouTube expressed condolences and removed some graphic content lacking context, while Meta applied warning labels and age restrictions to videos like Kirk's shooting.
- Experts note that rapid viral circulation of violent content online challenges media gatekeeping and can negatively affect mental health, urging viewers to manage their exposure responsibly.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Graphic video of Kirk shooting was everywhere online, showing how media's role has changed
Video of Kirk's shooting was available almost instantly online and seen by millions of people, illustrating how the “gatekeeping” role of news organizations has changed in the era of social media.
Graphic videos of Charlie Kirk’s killing reach the feeds of unwitting social media users with auto-play
On the afternoon of September 10, shortly after right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in front of a crowd at Utah Valley University, videos of the Turning Point USA cofounder getting shot in the neck flooded social media. As the news traveled fast, so did the videos. Unfortunately, users who did not wish to see the graphic content often unwittingly saw it anyway. “How the fuck is that Charlie Kirk video the first thing I se…
MAGA Congressman Goes on Wild Rant Blaming Democrats, Media, Canadians for Kirk Shooting: ’21st Century Brown Shirts’
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) reacted furiously to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, posting dozens of tweets and making angry comments to reporters blaming Democrats, the media, and more.
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