Who do reporters interview?
The news coverage begins with the news reader explaining exactly where the riots have took place and what the latest news is for each town. Firstly Cordelia Kretzschmar speaks from Croydon in south London after spending the night there which she described as "terrifying" and the police updated her saying that the situations in Croydon are far worse than anywhere else in London. This was all because of people she classes as "mobs". She spoke to one woman who had been trapped in a burning building for some time with kids also trapped for hours before police noticed, this shows ordinary families who had nothing to do with the riots had also been badly affected by the actions of others.
A masked youth then spoke out saying youths are angry right now because the government isn't treating them correctly.
The filming moves onto Enfield in north London where a building was on fire all because youths wanted computer games, dvds and cds. They then left a "burning inferno which got out of control".
A masked youth then spoke out saying youths are angry right now because the government isn't treating them correctly.
The filming moves onto Enfield in north London where a building was on fire all because youths wanted computer games, dvds and cds. They then left a "burning inferno which got out of control".
What images are used in the broadcast? What does this suggest about representation of the riots?
Images of rioters looting and major fires being started are shown at the beginning of the report, the news reader explains how many towns have been affected by the riots with correspondents in each town explaining exactly what trouble and violence has been caused.
On the screen behind her a well known image of a hooded youth standing infront of a burning down building, this image is used in most "riot" related reports, so many people would siamese that youths are the main culprits who are involved in these riots. For example when they see any other hooded person in the street they would unfairly judge them all because this image is focused around "riot chaos", they could have easily just used an image of a burned down building but they have focused it genuinely on one type of group. A live scene is shown of Croydon with horrific sights of burnt down buses and buildings and then explains that mobs of young people trying to set out to destroy their own community, however no images of the mobs are shown at this point in the report, however it does suggest once again youths being represented as the main problem during these riots.
Such a strong and inflamed fire is then shown with many on lookers running for their lives, it just shows that the situation got way out of hand and there was not enough Police on the scene to protect everyone, mainly because they didn't realise just how bad it would get. A scene is then produced of masses of Police cars and workers marching down the roads of Clapham where the streets where like "ghost towns" because everyone had been evacuated for their own safety.
The next live report shows thick black smoke behind the reporters head due to a massive warehouse fire which he again explains it was down to the youths, but no images of them are actually shown, this does make me think that this whole report is linked mainly to the representation of the riots being down to youths.
Is the broadcast biased?
Are youths given a fair voice?
All the way through the reports they talk about the youths and mobs when it comes to the major attacks on the buildings and looting shops and other places. I do believe they are slightly biased towards these youngsters because when they explain about the damage and disruption that has been caused there is no actual evidence of the youths being involved in any of it, so I think its slightly unfair that they aren't given a voice in these situations to defend themselves as the report focuses on just the reporters personal opinions and comments on what has happened over the past 3 days.
Other reports I have looked at have given youths a fair voice in these situations to explain themselves and let the nation understand why some of them may have been involved and done some of the horrific things like looting and ruining other residents lives on the street. Some will give valid reasons to why they have been involved and some may just say because they are following the crowd. However other youths who wear specific and discret outfits linked to "youth culture" may be really protective of themselves and explain that they had no link to the riots at all and are really upset and angry for people pointing the finger at them for something they didn't do.
Other reports I have looked at have given youths a fair voice in these situations to explain themselves and let the nation understand why some of them may have been involved and done some of the horrific things like looting and ruining other residents lives on the street. Some will give valid reasons to why they have been involved and some may just say because they are following the crowd. However other youths who wear specific and discret outfits linked to "youth culture" may be really protective of themselves and explain that they had no link to the riots at all and are really upset and angry for people pointing the finger at them for something they didn't do.
But this report symbolises the youths as one thing, negative which isn't right because of the situation being so serious, the argument needs to be balanced.
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