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 press would use jargon "out of control", creating a sense of moral panic, in regards to Stanley Cohen, about the behaviour of the youth. In particular, the photographs would feature clothing such as jogging bottoms and hoodies with balaclava's covering their face, clothes typically associated with 'chavs' and the working class - thus, marginalising the social group's youth with the event. Also, the stance in which the photographs portray the youths, with the background of burning buildings, reinforces the 'deviant' behaviour.  

The article highlights the terminology of 'riots' as oppose to 'protests' - which is arguably the fundamental spark of the events (Mark Duggan). This language creates a sense of deviancy and detracts from the story opposing the fact that the youth were acting in response to the death of Duggan. The word 'riot' "suggests something wild and uncontrollable, conveying negative ideologies about the youth. 

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

Buckingham mentions the works of Jones to highlight the continuous portrayal that the media are outlining in association with the working class. He uses examples such as 'Vicky Pollard in Little Britain', to present the marginalisation of the social group due to the misrepresentations of the stereotypes. 

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

The 2005 report shows "40% of newspaper articles featuring young people focused on violence, crime or anti-social behaviour and that 71% could be descibed as having a negative tone". The typical representation of young people and boys in particular is that they are primarily associated with crime, violence and drugs. And a minority is associated with education, sports and entertainment. The reoccurring vocabulary which is used in relation to boys include: "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?

Cohen's work can be linked to the coverage, in terms of deviant behaviour as well as public outcries - through the media directly injecting negative vocabulary such as "riots", enforcing menace-like behaviour. As well as this, the images in particular heighten a sense of deviancy through the long shots capturing them appearing rebellious through the 'masked identity' style attire, in the midst burning buildings and chaos. Thus, enhancing deviance amplification. 

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

The elements of popular culture that were blamed for the riots include, rap music videos, violent computer games and reality TV, that were argued to promote this deviancy. In particular, the looting was described by the Daily Mail as being due to programs such as 'X Factor and Big Brother' reinforcing consumer ideals. 

• 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 played a big part is the coorporation of the riots, through means of communication such as 'Blackberry Messenger', which was at it's peak during the riots, and was used for the youths to communicate and 'plan' their acts. In particular, the Sun, highlight the fact that 'Twitter' was used to orchestrate the Tottenham riots, through the public outcry of views to rally up a team of individuals to partake. According to the Telegraph, technology "fuelled the riots, who used the latest technology to film and incite the looting".   In comparison with the Arab Spring in 2011, their illustration of social media was as a positive thing through revolutionising in countries such as Egypt. 

• 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 through the opinion leaders of journalists, presenting some factual information in response to the events alongside the use of persuasive imagery to create negative ideologies about them, onto passive audiences consuming the information and news. In particular, ex-teacher Katherine, partook in presenting ideas within the two-step theory model format.

• 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?

He views them as a positive thing as they encourage 'participatory' content allowing audiences to get involved, enforcing a more democratic social system. In my opinion, I too agree with the fact that social media allows audiences to be at the forefront in having their say, however, I don't think that democracy is at its peak in consequence, as ultimately the leading institutions can censor and monitor anything that is written by the users to ensure that it is not stepping out of the underpinning status quo. 

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

The right wing responses to the causes of the riots was a largely negative one. This is evident through Max Hastings, writer for the Daily Mail, who described the event and youth as "they are essentially wild beasts", subsequently plastering a moral outcry in association with the youth and 'deviant behaviour' in relation to them. In addition, the right wing view sees the events and those partaking as a moral panic, through the fact that they believe that they have "no moral compass" or general understanding towards code and conduct. 

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

The left wing however, focuses on the social problems that have lead to the riots and caused the erratic behaviour of the youths. This is shown through their investigation into  the extreme inequalities that exist in the western world and how this can affect their behaviour. An example of this, includes the recent cuts in youth services and overall the niche amount of attention that is placed upon the overall youth demographic to then stem positive behaviour in response.

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

In my opinion, I think that the riots were ultimately an opportunity for the youth to fight against the system and I think that it started off as a rebellion against the story revolved around Duggan, but primarily it was an underground issue that had been waiting to arise and come to the surface. 

• 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 behaviour of looting within the riots, through the constant reinforcement of objects indicating social status, which is something that the working class youth will be drawn to, to add a sense of wealth to their self. The concept of globalisation, and the spreading of the consumer lifestyle, can be added to this. 

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

The voice was largely dominated as a description from journlists and reporters as to what happened which was reiterated through visuals (photographs). There was little detail highlighting the reasoning for participation through the lack of interviews that were presented, allowing those to explain their acts. 

• 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?

One of the first reasons that was highlighted include: 

- opportunity and the chance to get "free stuff"

- lack of money 

• 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, I think that strong prison sentences are not the way forward as it would be a waste of taxpayers money to accommodate for those involved to end up doing nothing. Prison will ultimately lead to an extreme amount of problems in consequence. Thus, I think it would be a great approach for those within the government to facilitate and provide more opportunities for the youth, such as sports/leisure clubs or even help with trying to get a job - more intensively than the ones that currently exist. In other words, it is ideal for the government to detract from prisoning the youth, but to instead, tackle the underpinning issues that are amongst them, to make the upcoming generation, better.