Scapegoats & Sensationalism: The Media's Role in the UK's Summer of Rage

From Southport to the Streets: How Biased Reporting Ignited a Nation

As a Black, gay, neurodivergent man, I have experienced firsthand the complexities and challenges of living at the intersections of multiple marginalised identities. The recent wave of riots across the UK, sparked by the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport by a Muslim migrant, has brought to light the stark disparities in media coverage of violent incidents based on the perpetrator's identity. This phenomenon is part of a historical pattern of biased reporting that perpetuates stereotypes and fuels social division. Examining these events reveals how such biases impact not only minorities but also the white working-class communities, who are marginalised in their own right.

Case Studies of Media Coverage

Current Riots and Stabbing Incident (August 2024):

Incident: Axel Rudakubana, a Muslim migrant, was involved in a mass stabbing in Southport on 30 July 2024, leading to the deaths of three young girls. This incident has dominated media coverage, with a significant emphasis on Rudakubana's migrant and Muslim identity.

Coverage: The focus on Rudakubana's background has exacerbated xenophobic reactions, leading to widespread far-right riots across multiple cities, including Liverpool, Belfast, and Birmingham. These riots have involved violent clashes with the police, arson attacks on properties, including hotels housing migrants, and significant property damage (Ghazi-Tehrani & Kearns, 2020) , (Spinde & Gipp, 2020) , (Lorenz, 2023) .

Headlines:

• "Muslim Migrant Murders Three Girls in Southport" – Daily Mail
• "Southport Tragedy: Community Mourns After Attack by Migrant" – The Sun
• "Migrant Violence Sparks National Outrage" – The Telegraph

Previous Katana Rampage (April 2024):

Incident: On 30 April 2024, a white man named Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo went on a killing spree with a katana in Hainault, resulting in the death of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin and injuries to several others, including police officers.

Coverage: Despite the severity of this incident, it received significantly less media attention. The coverage did not highlight Monzo's race or background, leading to a less sensationalised public reaction and no widespread unrest (Ghazi-Tehrani & Kearns, 2020) , (Wright & Watts, 2022) .

Headlines:

• "Man Goes on Rampage with Samurai Sword in Hainault" – Daily Mail
• "Hainault Tragedy: Lone Attacker Kills Teen with Sword" – The Sun
• "Violence in Suburb: Mental Health Crisis of Sword Attacker" – The Telegraph

The 2017 Finsbury Park Attack (June 2017):

Incident: On 19 June 2017, Darren Osborne, a white man, drove a van into a crowd of Muslim worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque, killing one and injuring several others.Coverage: While the incident was reported, the focus on Osborne's background and motives was less pronounced compared to attacks by non-white perpetrators. The narrative often framed him as a lone wolf with mental health issues rather than exploring broader societal influences (Galvin et al., 2021) , (Meaux et al., 2020) .Headlines:

• "Van Ploughs into Worshippers at Mosque" – Daily Mail
• "Finsbury Park Attack: Terror Hits London Again" – The Sun
• "Lone Wolf Attacker Targets Mosque Worshippers" – The Telegraph

The 2016 Jo Cox Murder (June 2016):

Incident: On 16 June 2016, Thomas Mair, a white supremacist, murdered MP Jo Cox. His ties to far-right extremist groups were underreported in initial coverage. Coverage: Media often downplayed Mair's ideological motivations, initially focusing on his mental health and portraying the incident as an isolated act of violence rather than part of a larger pattern of far-right terrorism (Lorenz, 2023) , (Budan & Castillo, 2022) .Headlines:

• "Labour MP Jo Cox Killed in Attack" – Daily Mail
• "MP Jo Cox Murdered by Lone Attacker" – The Sun
• "Tragic Loss: MP Jo Cox Killed by Extremist" – The Telegraph

Historical Context and Broader Implications

Throughout history, minority groups have frequently been scapegoated and subjected to biased media portrayals during periods of social unrest. This pattern can be traced back to various points in history:

• Black Communities During the Civil Rights Movement: During the civil rights movement, the media often portrayed Black activists as violent agitators, overshadowing their legitimate calls for justice and equality.
• Irish Immigrants in the 19th Century: In the 19th century, Irish immigrants were depicted as dangerous and untrustworthy, leading to widespread discrimination and violence against them.
• Jewish Communities in Nazi Germany: Perhaps the most extreme example the Nazi regime in Germany utilised propaganda to portray Jews as the root of societal problems. This dehumanisation facilitated the widespread acceptance of their persecution and, ultimately, the Holocaust.
• Muslim Communities Post-9/11: Following the 9/11 attacks, media coverage often associated Muslims with terrorism, contributing to Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslim communities worldwide (Wright & Watts, 2022) , (Budan & Castillo, 2022) .

In parallel, the white working-class community in the UK has also faced marginalisation, particularly in socio-economic terms. They often become the unintended victims of political and economic shifts, struggling with unemployment, inadequate housing, and poor access to education and healthcare. This marginalisation, however, is seldom addressed with the same urgency or empathy in media narratives, further deepening societal divides (Spinde, 2021) .

Influential Voices and Their Impact

• Nigel Farage: While distancing himself from far-right figures like Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage's comments on the riots have nonetheless contributed to inflaming tensions. His calls to end mass immigration and his critique of the government's diversity agenda play into existing fears and prejudices, legitimising xenophobic sentiments (Meaux et al., 2020) .
• Elon Musk: Elon Musk's engagement in the discourse, often echoing far-right talking points about "two-tier policing," lends significant weight to divisive narratives. His high-profile involvement amplifies these views, potentially inciting further violence and exacerbating societal divisions (Lorenz, 2023) .
• Jeremy Corbyn: From the far-left perspective, Jeremy Corbyn has often criticised the government's handling of immigration and its impact on minority communities. While his stance promotes inclusivity and equality, it can also polarise opinions, sometimes leading to backlash from right-leaning groups.
• David Lammy: David Lammy, a prominent left-wing MP, frequently addresses issues of racism and inequality. His outspoken views can galvanise support for social justice and attract criticism from those who see his positions as divisive or overly critical of traditional British values.

Weaponisation of the Term "Woke"

The term "woke," originally used to describe awareness of social injustices and inequalities, has increasingly been weaponised as a critical thought-terminating cliché. By labelling progressive ideas and those who advocate for social justice as "woke," detractors aim to dismiss and delegitimise these perspectives without engaging in substantive debate. This tactic undermines efforts to address systemic issues and fosters a polarised environment where constructive dialogue is stifled (Zhang & Lin, 2021) , (Spinde, 2021) .

Media Outlets and Accountability

Several UK media outlets have been instrumental in perpetuating biased narratives and the weaponisation of terms like "woke":

• The Daily Mail: Known for its sensationalist and often inflammatory headlines, the Daily Mail has frequently emphasised the backgrounds of minority perpetrators while downplaying similar details for white individuals. This selective reporting contributes to a skewed public perception and fuels xenophobic sentiments.
• The Sun: The Sun's coverage often focuses on identity politics, framing stories to fit a narrative that exacerbates social divisions. The paper has been criticised for its lack of nuance and for perpetuating stereotypes, particularly in its reporting on immigration and minority communities.
• The Telegraph: While generally more restrained in tone, the Telegraph has also been accused of biased reporting, particularly in its opinion pieces and editorial stance. The publication has been criticised for amplifying far-right talking points and contributing to the polarisation of public discourse.
• The Express: The Express has a history of sensationalist reporting on issues related to immigration and minority communities. Its coverage often needs more depth and balance to represent complex social issues fairly, instead opting for narratives that resonate with its predominantly right-leaning audience.
• GB News: GB News is known for its provocative coverage and has often been accused of promoting divisive and inflammatory content. The channel's approach to reporting on issues related to immigration and minority communities has been criticised for lacking balance and perpetuating negative stereotypes.
• BBC: While generally seen as a reputable source, the BBC has also faced criticism for occasional biases in its reporting. Some have argued that its coverage sometimes needs more depth and context to fully understand complex social issues, leading to a skewed public perception.

Recommendations for Balanced Reporting

• Promote Inclusive Narratives: Strive for inclusive storytelling that avoids disproportionate focus on specific identities. Ensure that coverage reflects the broader context and systemic issues rather than singling out certain groups for sensationalism.
• Implement Ethical Guidelines: News organisations should adopt and adhere to guidelines ensuring fair and unbiased reporting. These guidelines should include specific measures to prevent the reinforcement of stereotypes and to promote balanced coverage of all communities.
• Educate Journalists: Providing training on intersectionality and cultural consciousness can help journalists understand and mitigate their biases. This training should cover the importance of context, the impact of language, and the need for diverse perspectives in reporting.
• Encourage Accountability: Holding media outlets accountable for their reporting practices is crucial for fostering a culture of responsibility. This can be achieved through public feedback mechanisms, internal review processes, and promoting journalistic standards that prioritise accuracy and fairness.

Analysis and Linking to Previous Work

This analysis underscores the need for ethical and balanced media reporting, using recent examples to illustrate the impact of biased narratives. It advocates for measures to promote fair coverage and accountability in journalism, highlighting the detrimental effects of influential voices that propagate divisive rhetoric from both the far-right and far-left spectrums. Media outlets such as the Daily Mail, The Sun, The Telegraph, The Express, GB News, and the BBC must be held accountable for perpetuating these biases and fostering societal division.

Linking to the Tower of Babel 2.0 Article

The issues discussed here closely tie into the themes of my recent article, "The Tower of Babel 2.0: How Language Divides Us in the 21st Century". In that piece, I explored how language can be both a weapon and a tool for healing and empowerment. The proliferation of biased language in media, as evidenced by the abovementioned cases, shows how language can perpetuate division and misunderstanding.

Excerpts from the Article:

Words as Weapons: The Linguistic War on "Others":

Language shapes our perceptions and attitudes, either building bridges or erecting barriers. Media representations often reflect and perpetuate biases, using double standards in terminology that favour certain groups over others. This is evident in the contrasting media coverage of incidents involving minorities compared to those involving white individuals.

The Weight of Words: Exposing Double Standards:

When we refer to human beings as "illegal aliens," we strip away their humanity and reduce them to a status of unlawfulness and otherness. This term, laden with negative connotations, suggests that these individuals are not just in the wrong place but are inherently wrong themselves. Such language fosters a climate of fear and hostility, as seen in the coverage of Axel Rudakubana compared to Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo.

More Examples of Double Standards in Language:

Terms like "terrorist" versus "lone wolf" or "radical" highlight how similar acts of violence are framed differently based on the perpetrator's identity. This discrepancy is glaring in the cases of Darren Osborne and Thomas Mair, whose attacks were downplayed compared to those committed by non-white individuals.

Drawing these parallels makes it clear that our media landscape is a modern Tower of Babel, where language often divides rather than unites us. The way forward involves embracing inclusive language and holding media accountable for the narratives they perpetuate. Can we hope to build a society that values diversity and fosters genuine understanding?

Sources:

• The Independent
• BBC News
• The Guardian
• Amnesty International

By linking these concepts, we underscore language's critical role in shaping societal attitudes and the pressing need for responsible, inclusive media practices. For a deeper dive into the impact of language on minority groups and intersectional communication, I invite you to read "The Tower of Babel 2.0: How Language Divides Us in the 21st Century".

Conclusion

Addressing these disparities in media coverage is essential for promoting understanding and unity within society. By embracing the principles of Intersectional Cultural Consciousness, media can contribute to a more informed and cohesive public discourse. The recent violent incidents and their coverage illustrate the urgent need for ethical journalism that responsibly reports on issues without fueling division and prejudice. Influential figures like Nigel Farage and Elon Musk, as well as voices from the far left like Jeremy Corbyn and David Lammy, must recognise the weight of their words and strive to foster dialogue that promotes inclusivity rather than division.