Media May Share Responsibility for Sikh Temple Shootings

LOS ANGELES—When Wade Michael Page, the gunman with white supremacist ties, killed six worshippers at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek on Aug. 5, national media coverage about the Sikh faith and hate crimes against minorities was ignited.

One question that must be examined is whether coverage of Sikhs was too late in coming. Did lack of knowledge about their religion contribute to the victims being targeted in the attack and previous incidents of violence across the country? If so, the mainstream media must share in the blame for not educating the public.