Identities and the Media: Reading the Riots

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

The language and selection of images had created a negative representation of the youth and teenagers in particular due to the incorporated Mise-en-scene being a recall to that of action films and unlined reality which may have over exaggerated the riots to create an even more inaccurate representation of young people.

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

David Buckingham mentions Owen Jones due to the fact Owen Jones states that there is a new modernised Britain and that the working class has slowly become an object if fear and ridicule within the media.

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

The survey discovered that 40% of articles that included/mentioned young people primarily focused on violence and not their positive achievements. Also, 71% of the overall articles presented them in a negative manner.

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

The theory of moral panic can be applied as the coverage of the riots constructed an overall consensus of fear and panic for young people whist it was occurring which undoubtedly has stayed with many individuals. 

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

The blamed elements were Rap music, violent video games and reality TV for their ‘undisciplined’ nature.

6. 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 as it helped organise, advertise and spread the riots as its primary users are to a similar demographic of the ones involved in the riots. This is in contrast to the Arab springs in which social media was championed as being a new democratic format for oppressed individuals to voice their opinions on.

7. 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 linked as 'twitter famous' individuals became opinion leaders on which many of their follower relied on their opinion to help construct their own.

8. 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 believe that this does show democratisation as individuals who may or may not be oppressed can express their opinions and have freedom of speech without fear of backlash due to new and digital media being anonymous.

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

The right wing response was negative as they were compared to beasts and dogs that could not be controlled and needed to be put on 'leashes'.

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

The left wing blamed society and the inequality present in it and the continuous negative reprobation that has existed for a number of years and also cuts youth centres etc.

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

I believe the riots took place due to a combination of two things. First of all, a there was a bias representation of the youth in the media. Secondly, the cut of funds that kept teenagers busy in long uneventful periods leading to the quick spread and adoption around the country as a form of entertainment. 

12. 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 we now live in a materialistic society and many individuals believe their worth is characterised by their possessions. Therefore, when there was an opportunity to obtain a large number of desired goods, many acknowledged this and decided to exploit it.

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

People involved in the riots were not provided an opportunity to voice their opinion as it may have gone against the representation many institutions have created for them. Also, it may have challenged hegemonic views designed by the controlling class to achieve events such as the riots to keep parts of society 'in their place' and ensure other classes had the same injected view of them.

14. 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?

In my opinion the riots were a culmination of several factors that had led to a large blow to the UK and became memorable. I do have sympathy for a small minority of the victims as they may have legitimately troubled and have viable reasons to rot.