Monday 16 January 2017

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? 

I believe that the language employed and the selections of images have represented young people in a negative way. This is the case as it as if the police where the victims of riots and the young people were to blame.

 Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?
I believe that David Buckingham mention Owen Jones due to the fact that the group in the riots  were actually working class who have been portrayed in the a negative light.

What is the typical representation of young people – and teenage boys in particular? What did the 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey find?
The 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey showcases that 40% of newspaper articles featuring young people focused on violence, crime oranti-social behaviour;
71% could be described as having a negative tone. 

How can Stanley Cohen’s work on Moral Panic be linked to the coverage of the riots?
One way in which Stanley Cohens work on Moral Panic can be linked due to the fact that the media always tries to produce scary stories and create a sense moral panic making the viewers worried.
The word 'anarchy' showcases this.

What elements of the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots?
I believe that there were some newspapers in which blamed popular culture such as music and video games in particular rap music. The Mail Online blamed rap music, which glorifies violence and loathing of authority.

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?
Through the course of the riots social media sites such as Facebook were blamed for giving th rioters the license and freedom to communicate and plan where they would riot again. This is evident in the Arab spring’s protests as these protests would never happen if there wasn’t any social media.


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 step flow model can be applied to social media in the sense that opinion leaders like celebrities Politicians were saying the media; still following their partisan ideologies would reiterate this on their front pages to their audiences

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 media scholars such as Henry Jenkins thrive over these types of stories. This is due to the fact of the benefits of user- generated content. This is the case as it allows people to challenge views and ideologies in the media.

           What were the right-wing responses to the causes of the riots?
I believe that the right wing responses blame the young adults for the London riots. This is perhaps due to their political views.



What were the left-wing responses to the causes of the riots?
I believe that the left wing are most likely to be more understanding and sympathetic towards the young people due to the fact there was a reason to the London riots due to their feeling of injustice from the police.

What are your OWN views on the main causes of the riots?
I personally believe that the protests started due to the young people feeling of injustice from the police for the handling of the mark dugon situation. They people the excuse to loot and destroy things with the majority of people not caring about the initial cause of the protests in Tottenham. 


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 personally believe that it was a bit unfair that only some were sentenced even though there was many more. I believe that the young people weren’t really fighting for the actual cause as they used it is an excuse to loot.


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