Was the suspect also a "milk drinker", and if so, why not put that into the story as well?
Also, Uber was mentioned in a quote by a law enforcement officer, as being part of the context of the investigation:
While the company did not address reports that Dalton picked up and dropped off
customers Saturday night, authorities told CNN that it was "certainly part
of our investigation."
"We're looking into his connection to Uber and whether or not he was picking up
fares in between the shootings," said Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley.
EDIT: on the second thought... yes, it would.
There's a monetary incentive to put Uber in the headline.
Online media runs on advertising, advertising on hits. Uber is a curiosity right now, and a hot media item, so association ups hits.
Uber–association is particularly valuable if the headline generates emotion. There's innate curiosity about Uber as a new creature. There's emotion for murder. The melange is an often powerful cocktail of clicks.
The masses are not yet sure what to think of Uber, so many will eagerly click on this to help draw a conclusion about the safety of those using the company. People that would not otherwise click on either a murder or an Uber story. The mix ups the value; more people will see ads presented alongside the story.
Of course Taxi drivers have been mass murdering for generations. Of course the headline demonizes Uber. Those, while correct, are irrelevant. It is also irrelevant whether the media companies like or dislike Uber.
All that matters is that the media companies have a monetary incentive derived from the actions of the masses.
This kind of headline is clearly irresponsible. In fact it's so outrageously irresponsible that I wouldn't be surprised if a CNN executive is an investor in a competing service. There is no reason to even mention what he did for a living, especially in the headline, except for fearmongering purposes.
(Edit: ...and an iPhone owner)
I'm no über fanboy, but this certainly looks like a piece trying to stick it to Uber and generating negative PR which could scare future users from using uber. Bring out the pitchforks!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/gun-rampage-taxi-...
Narrative being that despite background checks, Uber will let anyone drive for them regardless of safety concerns. Obviously illogical, but I know I've run into some real freaks when Ubering.
I understand they do a criminal "background check" and they have a formal interview, just the same as any cab company. Do they only do a criminal background check in the country of their employment? Or do they also run it in countries they've just moved from, etc?
I was quite dumbfounded when the whole "craigslist killer" suddenly painted craigslist as a shady place for "weird" people online. I suspect the reality was animosity against craigslist for being disruptive to print media.
Are cars invoked at all? "Man kills 6".