Sky News Report

BBC News Report Croydon

In this report the newsreader interviews an Irishman who feels very strongly and negatively about the riots. He seems to have a very negative view towards the people who are taking part in the anarchy and denounces them throughout the entire report. The report itself focuses only on a burning building in the middle of a street, which gives the report more impact because they are hearing the voice of the man being interviewed whilst viewing the devastation caused by the youths - this gives the man's words more effect. The report itself is somewhat biased - the news studio is unbiased but the man who is being interviewed is very much opposed to what is happening around him which makes the report appear more geared away from the youths. The report does not give the youths a fair voice and only really focuses on one man as the voice of the general public. The report has a big impact because the man is speaking as a member of a public and appears to be broadcasting the majority of the public's views.

BBC News Report Tottenham

This 2 and a half minute BBC news report begins by showing a London street. We can see many people running around in the streets and the road whilst the newsreader in the studio talks to a resident of Tottenham and a reporter who is present at the scene. We also see many older men in suits, watching what is going on without acting in any way. Although nothing is happening at first the atmosphere seems tense and then several youths run into shot and begin to throw objects at a police car. Following this one of the youths picks up a large traffic cone and begins to smash the back of the police car with it. Other youths then join in and begin to throw anything they can find at the car, with some of them actually hitting it with their hands and feet and some filming it. The camera then swings round somewhat wildly as if the cameraman is attempting to leave the scene or hide, the reporter also comments that some of the youths have attacked his camera. Then we see youths with covered faces advancing on the camera and blocking the view before pushing the reporter and the camera man away. The most ominous scene is at the end of the report when we see the camera crew walking away and the youths following them.

The reporters spend most of this report interviewing a local man named Sam, who talks about how long he had been in the area and what the area was like prior to the riots. He describes the area as peaceful and happy. They also talk to a reporter named Andy Moore who describes what is happening on the scene. The way in which the reporter describes the scene suggests general chaos although it is not particularly accusatory or defensive; he merely describes the scene that is happening before him and does not verbally attack the youths even when they push him and attack his camera. The report itself is not particularly biased as it does not condemn the youths and slam their opinions nor does it promote or encourage their views.

Timeline of the London Riots

Historical Case Study Notes