Case STudy

'How have British youth been represented through different media in the London Riots?'‘

Consider: 

What role did new media technologies, particularly social networking sites play in the London riots?

Do media cause riots or revolutions?

Technology and surveillance: mobile phones, CCTV, 24-hour news….

Quote from the daily mail article: British youths are 'the most unpleasant and violent in the world', August 2011

"...it was now 'quite literally' difficult to 'distinguish the sound of people enjoying themselves from that of someone being murdered.'"

Quote from the guardian: London riots: how BlackBerry Messenger played a key role. August 2011

"One BBM broadcast sent on Sunday, which has been shown to the Guardian by multiple sources, calls on "everyone from all sides of London" to vandalise shops on Oxford street.
It said: "Everyone from all sides of London meet up at the heart of London (central) OXFORD CIRCUS!!, Bare SHOPS are gonna get smashed up so come get some (free stuff!!!) fuck the feds we will send them back with OUR riot! >:O Dead the ends and colour war for now so if you see a brother... SALUT! if you see a fed... SHOOT!""

Quote from Herald Sun article: 'Man shot during London riots dies' August 2011

 ' "It is quite clear that we need more, much more, police on our streets and we need even more robust police action," he said'

Quote from BBC news article: London riots: Metropolitan Police raid 100 homes, December 2011

"We have a huge team of dedicated officers working on this investigation and we will find you."Quote from BBC news article: London riots: Met Police launch major investigation, August 2011

"Throughout the day we have been monitoring social networking sites and I'd like to say right from the outset, we're conscious of some really ill-informed speculation on those sites relating to potential further problems."

Quote from Mirror article:  London riots: Celebrities unite on Twitter to condemn riots, August 2011.

'Tweeted by Lord SUgar: "Feeling very depressed there seems there is nothing we can do about these thugs even if they are caught they will be out within hours."'

'TV and radio personality Dermot O'Leary had a positive message to share: "Out and about this morning. Already seeing strangers being more considerate/friendly to each other. Makes me proud. #londonwillprevail"

Quote from Jessie J: August 2011

Leading the pack, Jessie J tweeted: " These riots are not cool. Frustrates me that I cant do anything, no one can. Anger being taken out on innocent."

Quote from Lily Allen: August 2011 “Are we on the brink of civil war or something ?”

Quotes from Russell Brand: August 2011

"These young people have no sense of community because they haven’t been given one. They have no stake in society because Cameron’s mentor Margaret Thatcher told us there’s no such thing."

"I feel proud to be English, proud to be a Londoner (alright an Essex boy) never more so than since being in exile and I naturally began to wonder what would make young people destroy their communities."