- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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'.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
