Identities and the Media: Reading the riots

How did the language and selection of images in the coverage create a particular representation of young people?

The use of negative language such as "riots" and "feral youth" created a negative representation of young people, as these words carry connotations of destruction and immoral behaviour. The use of images of black teenagers in hoodies amongst burning wreckage also created similar implications, as it only fuelled the representation of young people as being dangerous and a threat to the moral stability of society.

Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?
 
Buckingham mentioned Owen Jones and his work Chavs as it points to the emergence of a new form of class contempt in modern Britain. The working class, he argues, has become an object of fear and ridicule, which could be suggested to be a reason for divisions within the classes and the reason for contempt for the working class as the majority of rioters were from this background.

What is the typical representation of young people – and teenage boys in particular? What did the 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey find?

In terms of the typical representation of young people, the survey found that 40% of newspaper articles featuring young people focused on violence, crime or anti-social behaviour; and that 71% could be described as having a negative tone. This suggests that the media to some extent carry a role in promoting negative representation of young people. In regards to teenage boys, a study by the organisation Women in Journalism found that 72% of news stories were negative – more than twenty times the number of positive stories (3.4%). Over 75% were about crime, drugs, or police: the great majority of these were negative (81.5%) while only a handful were positive (0.3%). Many of the stories about teenage boys described them using disparaging words such as yobs, thugs, sick, feral, hoodies, louts, heartless, evil, frightening and scum.

How can Stanley Cohen’s work on Moral Panic be linked to the coverage of the riots?

Stanley Cohen's work on moral panic can be linked to the coverage of the riots as the theory suggests that the riots created a sense of  threat to societal values and interests due to the stereotypical fashion of reporting these stories by the mass media. This inevitably resulted in a much more general fear of young people, especially of working-class young people.

What elements of the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots?

The emergence of new technologies in the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are argued to have been used to organise riots and lootings, with BBM being accused as being the prime aspect of these new networks. The Blackberry has revolutionised rioters as they could rapidly record and share images of the riots, while also synchronising and orchestrating riots in local areas.

How was social media blamed for the riots? What was interesting about the discussion of social media when compared to the Arab Spring in 2011?

Social media was blamed for the riots as it allowed for the riots to be co-ordinated across the country, and also fuelling the copycat phenomena. The Arab spring on the other hand, is used to argue the benefits of social media, as it has been used for the greater good to revolutionise the masses to bring down the oppressive regimes of their country, which contrasts the riots which consisted of mindless looting and violence.

The riots generated a huge amount of comment and opinion - both in mainstream and social media. How can the two-step flow theory be linked to the coverage of the riots?

The two-step flow theory can be linked to the coverage of the riots as the views of politicians of the youth being "violent" and "immoral" reinforced this image into the masses. Similarly, the views of rioters on social media may have influenced others to also partake in rioting.

Alternatively, how might media scholars like Henry Jenkins view the 'tsunami' of blogs, forums and social media comments? Do you agree that this shows the democratisation of the media?

Media scholars like Henry Jenkins would view the "tsunami" of blogs, forums and social media comments in a positive light due to the ‘participatory’ aspect of these new technologies. I believe that to some extent it does show the democratisation of the media as the audience have gained more powers to share their opinions and views on social media, nevertheless this is only to an extent as the "Big media" still do have some control over the media as these social networking sites are owned by the powerful, centralised corporations which control the media. 

What were the right-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The right wing responses to the causes of the riots were based on the idea that the youth lacked any form of discipline or skills to contribute back to society. This theory suggests that the youth are at the bottom of the social hierachy.

What were the left-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The left-wing responses consist of the idea that poverty and inequality were the causes of the riots. Most of the rioters came from deprived backgrounds, and various cuts to services that provided the youth a safe place and rising youth employment may have also contributed to sparking the riots.

What are your OWN views on the main causes of the riots?

I believe the main cause of the riots were due to the instability of society during the "Broken Britain" alongside with the oppression of the youth and the murder of Duggan. The long-standing image of youth as being dangerous only fuelled their anger even more, although it was not the right choice I believe it was due to the accumulation of problems suddenly erupting.

How can capitalism be blamed for the riots? What media theory (from our new/digital media unit) can this be linked to?

Capitalism can be blamed for the riots due to the fact that the disintegration in the highest ranks of modern British society has resulted in politicians having the capability to lie and to cheat, As a result, young men and women without hope or aspiration resort to chaos and rioting with their defence being that they are just following the example set by senior and respected figures in society.

Were people involved in the riots given a voice in the media to explain their participation?

The people in the riots were barely given a voice in the media to explain their participation, as the media was instead too focused on the various theories and ideas brought forward by politicians and members of the upper and middle class.

In the Guardian website's investigation into the causes of the riots, they did interview rioters themselves. Read this Guardian article from their Reading the Riots academic research project - what causes are outlined by those involved in the disturbances?

The causes outlined by those involved in the disturbances included opportunism to acquire goods that riots could not often afford, gang involvement, social media to plan riots in advance and political and economical grievances .

What is your own opinion on the riots? Do you have sympathy with those involved or do you believe strong prison sentences are the right approach to prevent such events happening in future?

Personally, as a young person I do feel sympathy for those involved as the riots took place at a time where the youth and black people were being oppressed, furthermore the effects of recession were hard felt during the period, resulting in an outbreak of riots. However, I do not believe rioting should have been a response to these oppressions, and that instead peaceful protesting would have been a better choice. On the other hand it can also be argued that rioting was the only way for the discontent of society, especially the youth to be heard. Overall, I believe there should be strong prison sentences for those who have caused a lot of damage and harm amongst others, but not for those who were involved in petty acts or crimes.