If it bleeds, it leads — and that mantra certainly rings true in Baltimore.
With numerous debates and candidate forums in the books ahead of the May primary election, gun violence has been a central focus. Those who wish to lead the city have spoken about it whenever possible, and local media has largely steered those conversations.
That’s unsurprising and certainly warranted, given the city had grown accustomed to at least 300 homicides each year until recently.
But is the incessant coverage of gun violence reflective of what’s most significantly impacting the city? Not quite.
An even darker statistic rears its head amid the discussion: More than 1,000 Baltimore residents died by drug overdose in 2023, according to newly published data from Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response.
That sounds like a lot, and it is. But based on local media coverage, seemingly no one would know that the number of overdose deaths nearly quadrupled that of homicides last year.
With 177.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 people, Baltimore has the highest death rate of any city in the nation. And while homicides decreased by a historic 20% last year, overdose deaths rose by 5.1%
The overdose crisis impacts the city’s minority population the most, which is demonstrated by geographical data displaying hotspots in the city’s “Black Butterfly.”
The most vulnerable residents, which also include those living in poverty, are prime examples of the lasting impacts of systemic racism and economic inequality.
Yet those people, often voiceless amid an increasingly raucous political environment, are seemingly ignored.
None of this is to say that gun violence isn’t an important issue in Baltimore. It undoubtedly is, and it significantly contributes to the type of generational trauma that grips communities.
However, by solely focusing on gun violence and other violent crimes, the media is ignoring the myriad of systemic public health issues in the city and perpetuating fear-mongering narratives for the sake of clicks.
Not only that, but the disproportionate focus on violence allows candidates for local office to skirt by without having to answer to all of the other complex issues in the city they wish to lead.
It’s a disservice to those struggling with addiction to leave them out of the conversation. It’s also a slap in the face to the families of drug users who want to see change.
And it’s not too late to tell their stories.
The debate season isn’t over; The Baltimore Banner, WJZ and WYPR will likely provide the final chance for voters to see primary candidates lay out their priorities on April 30.
Maybe, for once, it’s time to retire the approach of “if it bleeds, it leads,” and look at the city’s problems more holistically.
Baltimoreans deserve to know what’s impacting their city. That's especially true with something as ubiquitous as the overdose crisis, which is killing fathers, mothers, sons and daughters at unprecedented rates.
There's still time to broaden the conversation before voters head to the polls. The media is responsible for telling the whole story — not just what makes for the best headline.
The industry needs engagement to survive, but it’s also a public service. So let’s act like it and make prospective politicians earn their spot on the taxpayer’s payroll.
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