Example Case Study - technology & the London riots

As part of your preparation for your own case study, you will need to consider the impact of new and digital media on the London riots. As well as analysing each of the text identified below, you will need to ensure that you try and consider HOW the theory you have studied, including web and media 2.0 have had an impact on each of these texts:

Text 1: Is technology to blame for the London riots? (BBC News Website) - Is technology to blame for the London riots?

Text 2:  Our Crime : Riots  (BBC 3 Documentary) Our Crime: Riots

Text 3: Q&A: Why has BlackBerry been blamed for the London riots? (Wired.com) Blackberry

Text 4: 'It's unbelievable BlackBerry Messenger hasn't been shut down': Mayor's aide calls for ban on riot 'tool' (Daily Mail) Blackberry Messenger

For each of the texts above, you should consider the following:

What is the representation of New and Digital Media like? (Positive? Negative?) Where is your evidence for this?

What is the audience’s response to this media text? Uses & Gratifications theory etc?

What is the purpose of the piece?

Who is the institution behind it? Is this significant? Wider context?