Since the shooting at Santana High School in California, schools around the country have been dealing with threats of similar violence. There have been more rumors than anything. Every threat is investigated by school officials. When a threat is substantial or a weapon is found, a letter goes home with parents. We don't want to bring an air of hysteria, either.
Newsrooms have a similar weeding process.
Here at WRAL-TV, we check out every news tip we receive about threats of violence. When students are arrested, we report it. Following the Columbine High School shooting, an FBI report said intense media attention has a contagious effect. That's not what we're in the business of doing. At WRAL, we may choose to report on a threat if it affects the community because of traffic delays, mass evacuations or other true community disruptions.