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 selection of images created a completely negative portrayal of young people with images of fire and vandalism chosen to give an impression of the destruction young people caused. All young people pictured were also made to look very intimidating and all had the costume of a typical 'chav', conforming to the typical teenage stereotype.

Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?

He mentions Owen Jones because Jones is someone who has published books speaking about how the media demonizes the lower class, which they have done in their filming of the riots, making lower class teenagers seem like uneducated and violent individuals.

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

The survey found that 40% of articles that included or mentioned young people simply focused on violence and not any positive actions done by young people. In total 71% of the articles presented them in a negative manner highlighting the typical negative stereotype spread through the media.

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

The media know that there is already a moral panic within society about young people, who society believes to be violent and aggressive, especially males, which the media has tried to accentuate through its coverage and make people believe it further.

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

Some elements that were blamed were rap music, violent video games and reality TV for their ‘undisciplined’ nature.

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 helping to organise and spread the riots as most people that use social media are young adults, which were also the main group involved with the riots.However in coverage of the Arab springs social media was presented as a democratic platform in which people are able to freely express their opinions and fight against oppression and dictatorship.

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-floe theory can be applied as many famous people commented on the riots. One example may be Russell Brand, who has millions of twitter followers and his opinions shared on twitter may have certainly influenced the views of people that follow him.

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?

I do think that the massive response online in response to the riots highlights the democratisation of the media as the media offers a platform in which anyone can freely express their views on such opinionated subjects like the riots. Without the internet only the elite on television have a voice that is heard.

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

The right wing responses to the riots were heavily critical of those that took part in the riots, specifically targeting youths, comparing them to animals and stating that they should be put on 'leashes'.

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

The left wing responses were much more accepting of the actual rioters, instead blaming society's negative image of youths spread through the media as well as faults made by the government, cutting funding to youth centres and other incentives for youths, causing them to rebel.

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

I think that the riots were a result of a culmination of factors. I think that although the rioters were ultimately wrong for what they did, the right wing view is very inconsiderate to the leading circumstances. I think that the constant cut of funding of youth centres and the cut of the EMA made youths feel ostracised from society and that the government didn't care about them. Cuts to youth centres were understandable to an extent but the sudden withdrawal of the EMA would have heavily affected many young adults studying, who used the small amount of money they received from it to help with living costs at University, which had already just increased to £9000 a year. 

As well as this the fact that it was summer when the riots took place is also significant, youths woere all off school, and with very few youth centres still existing had nothing to  occupy them, which made the riots an attractive opportunity to get out and do something with their free time.

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 as it has caused us to live in a materialistic society in which people are now attracted to designer brands and labels in order to stand out and appear wealthy. Because of this the riots offered the opportunity to gain more materialistic items by looting shops, 

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

A majority of people that went out and rioted were not given a voice by the media to explain their participation because it would completely go against the media accepted and politically correct right wing view, as the left wing view would challenge and seek to blame the government, something that the media and those in power will not let happen. Instead they chose to demonise the youths because they are of a lower class. 

The few rioters that were interviewed during the riots were complete conformants to the negative stereotypes portrayed by the media, wearing hoodies, covering their faces with bandannas, speaking with slang and showing an overall lack of education. I'm sure a majority of the rioters were well educated individuals, hence why the EMA removal had such an impact, however interviewing an intellectual rioter who could actually justify he rioted and who could give his political opinions on the government and constant would allow people to see the alternative argument and go against the stereotype the media wants to portray. 

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?

I think it's difficult to give a definitive answer to the question. In my opinion, as stated earlier, there were legitimate reasons for some people to riot and showcase their frustration at the constant abandonment from the government in terms of funding and therefore I have sympathy with these people.

I do however think that rioting was completely the wrong way to go about getting that message across. I do't think ruining someone's business and damaging their property can ever be justified. I feel that a well organised protest would be a much better alternative, however arguably this would not have gained anywhere near as much attention.

In addition I completely condemn those who simply went out rioting in order to loot and steal whatever they could. I think that this is completely unacceptable and only feeds the media the negative perception of youths they want to spread.