London Riots: Causes and Consequences

This assignment delves into the multifaceted causes and consequences of the 2011 London riots. It analyzes various contributing factors, including socioeconomic deprivation, the perceived injustices surrounding police conduct, and the influence of social media in mobilizing and shaping public opinion. The assignment draws upon a range of academic sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of this significant event.

London Riot
Analysis
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Illustration Index
Illustration 1: London riot 2011.......................................................................................................4
Illustration 2: London riot 2011.......................................................................................................5
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Media event can be stated as an activity that is presented for the main purpose of media publicity
and gain attention of varied viewers. For instance, if media centers any event or news in order to
make it big or popular it influences the mind of people. Here, in the current study London riot
event has been evaluated that has taken place within several London boroughs and across
England (Bell, Jaitman and Machin, 2014). However, such riot results into chaos that generated
looting, murder and arson that deploying mass police and resulted in the death of 5 people.
Moreover, such event was occurred when police shot dead a local man, Mark Duggan and then
political parties made it an anti-racism clashes and several violent clashes occurred with police.
However, in such destruction it involves Pound 200 million property damages that includes
police vehicle, buses, homes and business places. All such actions rapidly gains attention of
media and they covered the whole event and made it viral (Vis, 2013).
There are varied factors that were involved such as racism, classicism and economic
decline as well as it involves varied cultural factors like criminality, hooliganism and breakdown
of social morality and gang culture. However, such type of riots always gain attention of media
and they make it big by broadcasting to their television channels and influencing local people
(Baker, 2012). Then, later they carry out debates on that particular topic by involving various
political parties, officials and stimulating them regarding what happened. It analyzes that
newspapers wrongly reported that Duggan, the victim had been armed and various media
channels presented him as a drug dealer and gangster. But after all this incident it was found that
he has no criminal record and was innocent and media felt guilty of that. Thus, here media
sources were guilty for spreading wrong information as journalists relies on police officials and
who provided misinformation to them (Briggs and et. al., 2012).
Further, it was evaluated that it was a simple protest march but one police man wrongly
shot dead an innocent man and because of that riot occurred. Thus, the media coverage of 2011
London Riots was called disgraceful (Till, 2013). The participants in the media coverage were
angry because of the behavior of media towards presenting the young black man doing rioting
and looting. But it was totally wrong presented by media because there were people of all races
who were doing such illegal acts. It can be analyzed from such incident that media failed to
report on the issues but they provided wrong information that causes effect on community
(Tonkin, Pfeiffer and Tourte, 2012).
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Moreover, this event was hyped by media as pictures and videos were uploaded by
participants on social media and you tube that affects the local people. Here, media needed to
provide useful information to local residents so that they can feel secure and also deliver the
message of failure of police and not comment on racism and anti-community so that people
become more aggressive (Davies and et. al., 2013). Thus, all such ill events causes London riot
event into a bad media event and reporters publicize it in a wrong form and believed on the
wrong information given by police. Here, it is essential for the news reporters to investigate the
truth behind it and they should find that the victim who was shot dead was he really a gangster.
Illustration 1: London riot 2011
(Source: Tyler, 2013)
It can be assessed that while the riots were going on there was total disorder in the city
and in other cities as well. Therefore, MP of Tottenham Mr. David Lammy appealed from the
public to be calm because true justice can only be given after a thorough investigation of the
facts that what happened that day with the victim (Winlow and Hall, 2012). He also stated that
the rioters were not representing any particular social group or local community as a whole. It
was mixture of all people who were carrying out factors such as looting, murdering, arson etc.
However, it stated that it was not a political event that was occurred in order to spin the
government from rule. While, it was a move from some local rioters in order to conduct loot etc.
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While, it was not planned by the political parties and also after the event there was not much
politics or political spin played by the politicians (Lightowlers, 2015).
Here, the rioters used social media and other technology such as BlackBerry Messenger
service in order to coordinate with other rioters. However, there were EDL and BNP who were
of great concerns and were playing on the London riots and people's fear to advance their
political motives (Fuchs, 2012). While, the political parties were also against of such type of
unacceptable riot that causes harm to people and property. After the riots there were debates in
the parliament regarding the riot and the issues arising from them. Thus, it is essential for media
reporters to present the news properly and do not provide wrong information to people that
causes fear in their minds (Procter, Vis and Voss, 2013).
Moreover, it can be assessed that the journalists were not at all adhering to professional
standards because without proper investigation they announced that victim who was shot dead
because of his illegal habits such as drug dealing, gangster etc. All such information came
directly from police and they felt it was right and thus, wrong information was passed to others
(Angel, 2012). The journalists did not play their professionalism well they stated that such type
of riots caused serious injury and threat to both life and property. Thus, it can be assessed that
journalists did not adhere to professional standards in their reports.
Illustration 2: London riot 2011
(Source: Newburn, 2012)
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It can be evaluated that after the incident occurred media gave so much of importance to
such riot event and thus it hyped up in order to attract political parties across country. While, it
was not a big riot and it can be controlled by the anti-riot police forces through taking certain
action and arresting such people who were looting, arson and murdering people etc. The media
created hype because it was a black young man who was shot dead by police as he was supposed
to be a drug dealer and gangster which was later proved to be innocent (Bennett, 2013). Thus,
such news given by media created a moral panic which is a feeling of fear that spread among
many people who are living in society. On the day of riots all the TV news channels backed their
reports that kept on repeating or burning buildings. The newspapers main headlines that day was
London Simmers and the whole paper was filled with the pictures and news of London riot.
Thus, it influences the mind of people and ramp up the story through printing the surprising
facts. However, such event really hyped up and contributed to develop moral panic in the minds
of people (Benyon, 2012).
Furthermore, people also cater news from different sources such as Facebook, Twitter
and mobile phone. All these sources provide information to people so that they can coordinate
with each other and carry out their activities. On the other hand, the media is required to play a
crucial role in providing true information to public so that they do not fear and overcome the
threat (Bristow, 2013). Also, it is crucial for media to censor certain part of the news so that local
people do not get threatens from such action occurring in the city. Further, it also affects the
tourists visiting from other countries and thus, decline the economic condition of the country. All
such acts of media threatens the local public and creates moral panic in their minds that arises a
fear of not safe within the society. Hence, the overall image of media falls within the eye of
public because they create hype in the market regarding the riots (Morrell, 2011).
Tabloid news can be stated as the style of journalism which tends to emphasize more on
sensational topics such as crime stories, gossip columns, celebrity news etc. Thus, the London
riot event was also highly covered by such journalists. Further, it was the practice of journalist to
add a little spin and spice to the news and present it within their news channel so that they can
spread it more effectively to the audience (Rusbridger, 2011). However, in such type of news it
presents the spicy and attractive headings that catches the eyes of readers. While, the riot news
was covered by more tabloid journalists rather than other because such type of riots were caused
after so many years in London. The tabloid news covered such news which created hype in
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market and thus gain huge popularity in the form of viewers and readers. It is different from
regular news as it presents a eye catchy headline that showcases the event happened in the city.
For instance, different news channels provides different headings so that they can gain attention
of their viewers and provide them detail information regarding the event occurred. Thus, London
riot 2011 event showcases that The Guardian states that it Britain's 2011 riots have become a
defining contest between disorder and order (Bell, Jaitman and Machin, 2014).
Further, it can be assessed that The London Riot event was covered more by Tabloid
news because it was one of the breaking news that a black young men was shot dead by a
policeman. Thus, such type of journalism focuses more on crime stories so that more and more
people could be informed about the news (Briggs and et. al., 2012). Here, journalists prepare a
eye catchy headlines that gains attention of people and increase their market size. For instance,
people prefer to read such news more as it provides them information regarding what is
happening in and around the city. Following are the tabloid newspapers such as National
Enquirer, Globe, The Sun and News of the World. However, each and every newspaper is not
linked with such type of journalism as it covers only breaking news. Further, the London Riot
news was very effective for citizen living in the country therefore it was more covered by
Tabloid journalists and thus gains attention of public (Davies and et. al., 2013).
Celebrity culture can be stated as the structure that persuades celebrities to carry out
particular activities in order to be come popular. Thus, at the time of London riot 2011 event
Jamie Waylett who played Vincett Crabbe in the Harry Potter series was given imprisonment
because of his participation in the riots. However, he was photographed drinking champagne
bottle that was stolen from the store and also holding a petrol bomb in Camden on the third day
of riot (Vis, 2013). Thus, he was sentenced two year imprisonment for violence and handling
stolen items. As seeing the past record of the actor he was given penalty and punishment by the
court several times because of drugs case. Therefore, it represents that there was involvement of
celebrity due to becoming popular. He did not start the event but become a part of it because on
the third day of riot he was creating nuisance with his friends and carrying out looting activities.
However, it might be possible that he was doing all such acts because of gaining popularity
(Tyler, 2013). It seems that it was their own interest to participate in the London Riot event and
make it big.
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Furthermore, it can be stated that the event held in London can be stooped if the
policemen stop giving wrongful information regarding the shot dead. They named him a
gangster, drug dealer but after the investigation the black young men was found innocent and
police officials were found guilty. They killed him because of misunderstanding. Thus, it
converts into riot and several people were dead, shops were looted and property was damaged
(Lightowlers, 2015). Thus, it showed less interest by any celebrity within it because of only local
gangs whose main reason was to carry out looting activities and thus they created nuisance in the
city. Most of the young people joined gangs and that involved Jamie Waylett in the event and
was given imprisonment for the same. However, celebrity culture stated that in order to become
popular celebrities persuade themselves to become part of such actions and thus media cover
them and show them on television and newspaper and people starting following and liking them
(Fuchs, 2012).
It can be assessed that the London Riot event could be stopped if the police official and
government authorities have taken strict action against the people carried out such event.
However, they did not pay attention on such event and thus, it carries out to be a big event. There
were varied fictions presented within the event such as people were looting, burning the shops
and houses and police was not taking any action against them (Newburn, 2012). Thus, it leads to
mass explosion and created various expenditure in the city. However, the penal system also
failed at the time of riot because of the ill behavior of criminal classes such as gangsters. Also, it
has been noticed that many of the young people were part of the riot and created disorder in the
city. Thus, penal system is required to introduce effective punishment system so that individual
did not dare to commit crime (Bennett, 2013).
Also, it has been noticed that gang culture has been evolving within the country that
influences the young people of all races. While, there were varied complaints filed in regard of
noticing bad activities such as looting and petrol bomb explosion by the youth in the city. Thus,
such facts affects the individual people living in the society and also tourists traveling from other
countries (Rusbridger, 2011). It influences the economic condition of country and people do not
have enough purchasing power. Also, there were several people who were carrying out rioting
for fun and thus causes serious damages to shops and houses. They carried out such activities for
fun and laughter and looted shops and consume the products available there. Hence, it can be
stated that the London Riot event 2011 went for a long time frame and affects the city both
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morally and financially. Also, media took wide coverage of the event and made it tabloid news
item so that people get attracted towards it and read it carefully (Benyon, 2012).
It can be assessed from the study that media considered varied factors such as racism,
social morality and gang culture etc. that lead the event turned into a big media event. However,
media presented it so large by showing the burning pictures of building, people looting the shops
and damaging the property etc. Further, all such hype was created by media and it was the wrong
information that was given by policeman regarding the victim that he was a drug dealer and
gangster. Thus, such type of riot in the city created moral panic in the minds of people and they
were affected which results into economic breakdown.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Angel, H., 2012. Viewpoint: were the riots political?. Safer communities. 11(1). pp.24-32.
Baker, S. A., 2012. From the criminal crowd to the “mediated crowd”: the impact of social
media on the 2011 English riots. Safer communities. 11(1). pp.40-49.
Bell, B., Jaitman, L. and Machin, S., 2014. Crime deterrence: evidence from the London 2011
riots. The Economic Journal. 124(576). pp.480-506.
Bennett, J., 2013. Moralising class: A discourse analysis of the mainstream political response to
Occupy and the August 2011 British riots. Discourse & Society. 24(1). pp.27-45.
Benyon, J., 2012. England's Urban Disorder: The 2011 Riots. Political Insight. 3(1). pp.12-17.
Briggs, D. and et. al., 2012. The English riots of 2011: A summer of discontent. Waterside Press.
Bristow, J., 2013. Reporting the riots: Parenting culture and the problem of authority in media
analysis of August 2011. Sociological Research Online. 18(4). p.11.
Davies, T. P. and et. al., 2013. A mathematical model of the London riots and their policing.
Scientific reports. 3.
Fuchs, C., 2012. Social media, riots, and revolutions. Capital & Class. 36(3). pp.383-391.
Lightowlers, C. L., 2015. Let’s get real about the ‘riots’: Exploring the relationship between
deprivation and the English summer disturbances of 2011. Critical Social Policy. 35(1).
pp.89-109.
Newburn, T., 2012. Counterblast: young people and the August 2011 riots. The Howard Journal
of Criminal Justice. 51(3). pp.331-335.
Procter, R., Vis, F. and Voss, A., 2013. Reading the riots on Twitter: methodological innovation
for the analysis of big data. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 16(3).
pp.197-214.
Till, J., 2013. The broken middle: The space of the London riots. Cities. 34. pp.71-74.
Tonkin, E., Pfeiffer, H. D. and Tourte, G., 2012. Twitter, information sharing and the London
riots?. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 38(2).
pp.49-57.
Tyler, I., 2013. Revolting subjects: Social abjection and resistance in neoliberal Britain. Zed
books.
Vis, F., 2013. Twitter as a reporting tool for breaking news: Journalists tweeting the 2011 UK
riots. Digital Journalism. 1(1). pp.27-47.
Winlow, S. and Hall, S., 2012. A predictably obedient riot: Postpolitics, consumer culture, and
the English riots of 2011. Cultural Politics. 8(3), pp.465-488.
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Online
Morrell, G., 2011. Understanding the involvement of young people. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/60531/
The_20August_20Riots_20in_20England_20_pdf__201mb_.pdf>. [Accessed on 20th
January 2016].
Rusbridger, A., 2011. Reading the Riots. [Online]. Available through:
<http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/46297/1/Reading%20the%20riots%28published%29.pdf>.
[Accessed on 21st January 2016].
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