London Riots Broadcast News Analysis

Who do the reporters interview?


This specific clip a news reporter from the BBC interviews a correspondent who is watching the events unfold during the riots in Tottenham. However, no proper interviews take place because its clear to see that it's not safe to do so because of the violence that is taking place. We see in this broadcast that vandals are smashing up police cars, throwing bricks and stones at passing and stationary police cars. The danger is accepted by he news reporter as she says "we'll leave it there" after he asked a hooligan why he was blocking the camera which resulted in him getting pushed away.
However, a local resident of Tottenham gets questioned over the phone, he's called Sam and he explains whats going on from his point of view. He explains to the BBC that this type of thing has never happened before around the area and how its usually a nice quiet place. This shows how anyone would want to get involved in the riots in Tottenham.

What images are used in the broadcast? What does this suggest about the representation of the riots?


Th broadcast is live footage of the riots so no previous images of the riots are shown, its just showing first hand what the riots are like. It is explained however, by the news correspondent whats been happening as rioters attack police cars with bricks and rocks whilst a large amount of hooded people take pictures and videos with their mobile phones and because of the vast amount of rioters the police only don't have any effect  all to enforce their authority. This is video footage of the riots that are happening at that specific time, it shows that youths are represented as bad people because of the unnecessary damage they are doing to other people's property. Furthermore, most of the rioters have their faces covered with masks and hoods to avoid being caught by the police although they are still willing to take part in the riots.

Is the broadcast biased?

The broadcast isn't biased in my opinion because its video footage of a reporter updating on the events of the riots, the situation is real footage of whats happening so it can't be altered or made up because its live. The reporter explains whats happening then masks youths push the camera away or try and block it, there is no evidence of the broadcast being at all biased.

Are the youths given a fair voice?


The reporter doesn't have anything negative to say about the rioters d although no youths speak in the broadcast it still shows them doing bad, violent things. When he does ask a youth "why are you blocking the camera?" he simply gets pushed away and doesn't get a response which shows the violence youths are willing to use in a the situation, they just don't want to be caught on camera in case of being caught. The broadcast shows what they youths of today are like in my opinion.