The role of local media in communities affected by the summer riots
Analysis by Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) of over 30,000 news articles published between July and August 2024 about the July and August 2024 riots.
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In July and August 2024 a series of riots, largely instigated by far-right groups, took place in several towns and cities across the UK. The riots marked a period of tension within communities, prompting wider discussions about what constitutes community values and identity. Against this backdrop, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to explore the nature of local media coverage of the riots, how it was consumed in local communities and its role in influencing public perception and response to the riots.
The research combined analysis of ~30,000 news articles published between July and August 2024 using advanced data science techniques and qualitative deep-dives in three selected areas affected by the riots with varying levels of local media presence. The deep-dives involved 24 in-depth interviews with community members, leaders and journalists in Rushmoor, Birmingham, and Liverpool, and a content analysis of 24 articles from local media outlets covering the three areas.