We’ve been talking a lot this week in our team about the G20 riots and whether or not they are in any way worthwhile etc.. However, the team’s overarching opinion is that perhaps these riots would not have taken place on such a large scale had the media not banged on about them and how big and scary they were going to be for the last 2 weeks?! It seems that if it had been kept between the few small extreme groups and the police it would have remained on a much smaller scale. However, with the papers and news channels screaming the topic from the rooftops every day, they have basically been advertising the event to the whole country and encouraging p*ssed off people to join the movement!?
It is quite interesting/worrying to consider how much the media has the ability to change and shape world events. We all know that one of the most important factors affecting the state of the economy is consumer and business confidence. The rumours of a recession started quietly a couple of years ago until the papers grabbed hold of it and increasing media coverage started to tell us on a daily basis that the world was destined for doom. Surely it is then no surprise that everyone freaks out, stops spending, sells their shares and sacks people due to fear of future profit issues? Obviously, mass borrowing and irresponsible banks also had an impact and, I’m not suggesting that we should live in a censored society, but it does make you wonder if the economy would have been less screwed if the papers and TVs didnt permanently tell everyone to expect the worst?