A U.S. consultant to dozens of broadcast news organizations warns of seven ways to go wrong in covering Friday's mass murder at a showing of the latest Batman film.

Writing for the Poynter Institute website, Al Tompkins says, "Disasters like the theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., leave many victims. Journalists have a responsibility to cover this unfolding story without adding to the public's fears."

Tompkins goes on to seven mistakes to avoid. They include:

"Avoid shorthand…The phrase 'Aurora' shooting unfairly harms the community that is grieving.

"Avoid simplicity… No movie explains why people commit mass murder.

"Avoid stereotypes. Mass killers don't just 'snap.'…

"Keep this in context... Less than one per cent of all homicides involve five or more victims…

"Avoid glorifying the shooter… There is no need for hyperventilated headlines and breathless copy. The story is tough enough."

Tompkins also advises journalists to "avoid easy solutions" such as crying for more security at fundamentally safe cinemas. And he reminds that many other important stories need to be published as well, so best to keep in mind "What gets crowded out?"

Find the entire piece here.

David Beers is editor of The Tyee.