The riots can be described to have a multiple of reasons as why they broke out and stemmed like they did. Firstly, the deemed unjust shooting by the police of Mark Duggan can be seen as the main contributing factor as to why the rioting originally broke out, however the continuation and escalation of the riots can also be seen to come from other reasons too.
The growing discontent of youths can be seen as a large contributing factor as to why the riots occurred, with many using the shooting as a reason to show an outburst against government cuts and a decrease in social contempt. Other idea's have also being presented as to why the riots occurred, with some examples being:
- Boredom
- Lack of true father figure in certain districts
- High unemployment rates
- Government cuts
- Materialistic society fuelling the need to steal 'nice goods'
- Outburst against control, ie. police
- Lack of understanding of youth culture
In the press coverage, youths were given a fairly biased and uneven representation to the general public. Although direct links to 'youth' was not as apparent as predicted, the mask given by the press was violent, unjust rioting by youths who wished to object to law-and-order with no just cause. Most interviews covered by the media were that of government officials and those not involved in the riots, shining a negative light on the riots with no clear first-hand point. Although some coverage was done of the youth/student perspective, many portrayed the youth as hooded 'hooligans' with no reason to riot, just mindless violence.
Applying Theory
The London Riots can relate to Stanley Cohen's theory in a variety of ways. Firstly, the idea of moral panic was clearly portrayed through the media coverage of the events, fuelling the intense feelings that social order was being threatened and authority was being challenged as youth clashed with police and shops were mindlessly vandalised. The mass media defined this moral panic, creating the framework and being the sources for what is covered and placed under this banner as most of the general public had no first-hand impression.
Stanley Cohen's idea of deviance amplification also applied to the riots. The reference to youth sub-cultures throughout the coverage helped solidify the idea of 'folk devils', with an out-of-touch society creating mayhem that threatened order. This closely tying with the challenge of authority (police). The fact many involved in the riots wore 'hoodies' was amplified by the media as something associated with deviant actions, defining this separated and unwanted sub-culture. The media 'jumping' on this link.
David Gauntlett stated that "Identities are not 'given' but are constructed and negotiated".
The London Riots can relate to Stanley Cohen's theory in a variety of ways. Firstly, the idea of moral panic was clearly portrayed through the media coverage of the events, fuelling the intense feelings that social order was being threatened and authority was being challenged as youth clashed with police and shops were mindlessly vandalised. The mass media defined this moral panic, creating the framework and being the sources for what is covered and placed under this banner as most of the general public had no first-hand impression.
Stanley Cohen's idea of deviance amplification also applied to the riots. The reference to youth sub-cultures throughout the coverage helped solidify the idea of 'folk devils', with an out-of-touch society creating mayhem that threatened order. This closely tying with the challenge of authority (police). The fact many involved in the riots wore 'hoodies' was amplified by the media as something associated with deviant actions, defining this separated and unwanted sub-culture. The media 'jumping' on this link.
David Gauntlett stated that "Identities are not 'given' but are constructed and negotiated".
From the research, to what extent is the representation of the collective identity of youths constructed by the press (For + Against)?
No comments:
Post a Comment