Stuart Halls Theory & The Portrayal of Youths in The LDN Riots

Looking at different theories to interpret the concept of scandalous ‘youths’ today, the prime example of this is portrayed in newspapers, such as ‘Daily Mail’ and ‘The Guardian’, where young looters were identified as being ‘one of the crowd’ and ‘the percentage of teenagers are unemployed’.  Daily Mail presents them as being the main culprits of committing the looting, stating that the majority of youths had been released under ‘referral orders’.  The particular subculture labelled ‘chavs’ were the main targets of the newspapers and TV news releasing clips of youths rioting in London and being out of control.  However, they did not emphasises as much the clips and evidence which they had on those whose involvement with the riots was not so much publicized to automatically indicate the blame onto the youths of today. 

Although admittedly, these were the main culprits of the offences (based upon the media’s capability of portraying it this way), Stuart Halls theory is definitely suggestive of the despicable manner in which youths appeared to be acting in this particular circumstance.  For example; Halls theory suggests that the reflection from the media of the portrayal of youths today is in fact constructed rather than the reality of what is actually occurring.  Their sub-cultures are created in order for their behaviour and actions to rebel against what their parents or guardians have attempted to influence their upbringing. Their behaviour is said to be adopted from the interpretation of the Medias presentation, where they are exposed to violent, threatening, brutal behaviour.  The newspapers referral to “copycat criminal activity" insinuates the behaviour of youths as “copying” others/the activities which they aware of.

I personally agree with this theory, as I believe the youths of today are personally affected by each and every exposure to illegal and rebellious acts.  They somehow see it as a trend, and follow what they see.  Their interpretation can be affected from many factors, but I do feel that the media’s role in this is huge, and definitely contributes to the way which the news on youths today is so horrendous and shocking because their violent could be what they personally feel is what everyone else is doing, therefore they are acting upon what they see.