Media Bias in the Coverage of Sweden’s Mass Shooting
By Anna-Katharina Priesterath, News Editor
‘Gunman who carried out Sweden's worst-ever mass shooting was an unemployed 'loner' who 'doesn't like people' and 'only enjoyed spending time with his parents' dog'’ reads the headline of an article posted by the Daily Mail on February 5. (Daily Mail Online )
On February 4, Rickard Andersson killed eleven people and injured six before taking his own life. The mass shooting took place on Campus Risbergska adult education centre in Orebro, Sweden. Andersson, a 35-year-old White man, was carrying three guns and a knife. He had changed into green military clothing in the school toilets before carrying out the massacre. His victims were all immigrants that attended Swedish language classes. However, different media outlets still claim that his motive remains unclear.
In recent elections, one rising strategy to attract voters has become clear: the far right (e.g., AfD in Germany) painting a picture of criminal refugees who are ;’naturally’ terrorists. While it is important to state that any criminal must be held accountable, there has been a clear distinction in the media coverage and public reaction to shooters depending on their race, ethnicity, and religion. Although responsible for the worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history, Anderssons name has not been mentioned in headlines as much as might have been expected.Almost a month after the shooting at Örebro's Campus Risbergska on February 4, 2025, discussions continue over how to categorize the incident. While some urge authorities to label it a terrorist attack, officials emphasize that the investigation is still ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached regarding the perpetrator’s intent.
Andersson has been excused and protected in media coverage, with much of the focus being on him as an unemployed and socially isolated individual. Shortly after the shooting took place, Andersson was announced as the main suspect and various newspapers reported on the horrible scene, as well as directly mentioning his likelihood to have been dealing with mental conditions. The depiction of criminals in the media has been biased. Studies conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia suggests racial variability in the assignment of blame to mass shooters by the media. African American scholar Cynthia Frisby found that White criminals are receiving less harsh treatment and that attitudes towards them tend to be more sympathetic, with their actions often being attributed to mental health issues. White individuals are more likely to have their crime attributed to mental illness than non-White individuals. The researchers write that ‘media narratives typically portray offenders as suffering from extreme social pressure and unfortunate circumstances.’ The term ‘mental illness’ was mentioned in 46 shooting reports — 80% for White shooters, 16% for Black shooters, and only 4% for Muslim shooters.
While Andersson's actions appear to have been influenced by anti-immigrant views, the media has not explicitly characterized them in those terms. The focus is taken away from him as the shooter generally, and directly more towards the tragedy of such a crime happening in Sweden, a country that is known for peace. Andersson’s unemployment and social isolation are repeatedly mentioned and claimed as conditions that might have driven him to the shooting. Through this, Andersson’s personal culpability is diverted. Andersson had a clear target group, whether he was dealing with mental illness or not, this is an undeniable fact.
Via ABC News.
There is a wide difference in media coverage on murderers depending on their ethical, and religious background. The problem with this biassed media coverage is that anti-immigrant views are being spread and supported. By highlighting a criminal's ethnicity and/or religion as a motive for their crime, the entire ethnicity/religion is being put in a box. Every shooter needs to be treated the same. Pointing out that White shooters are often depicted as struggling with mental illness, while non-White shooters do not receive the same consideration, highlights a disparity in media narratives and societal perceptions. Non-White shooters are not excused because committing crimes is often seen as ‘expected’ for them. It is important to give all criminals the same treatment and not generalise them because of their racial background.
Biased depiction of shooters in the media reinforce racial stereotypes that influence public perceptions and attitudes towards immigrants, policymaking, and harsher treatments of non-White offenders. Despite claims that Andersson was dealing with mental illness, he still had access to firearms. In this case, the issues of gun violence and radicalization have been downplayed. To rewrite one of the biggest headlines regarding this shooting, I would suggest the following: ‘Swedish gunman targeted immigrants at adult learning school in Sweden’s deadliest mass shooting’
Our thoughts are going out to the loved ones of the victims of this terrible crime and the students and teachers at Campus Risbergska adult education centre.