UK RIOTS AND LESSONS ON YOUTH, RESPONSIBILITY AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

She says: “I am 29 years old and probably belong to the last generation of people who respect and fear authority.”

The broadcaster asks her to elaborate.

“Just observe the situation. Most of the youths that were breaking and looting are fearless. They don’t care. They know nothing will happen. No punishment.”

The conversation is one of the many ongoing public dialogues this week. Since riots began last Friday after the shooting of a young black man (Mark Duggan) in Tottenham north London, every day has been a thrill of discussions.

  Leaders rushed from overseas  holidays , police were recalled from their off duties, media pundits  and almost every one has had something to say including the very youths who have been leading the “ burning  and looting” ( to paraphrase a Bob Marley song). 

Mark Duggan, the 29 year old's death sparked the riots...

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POWER AND ROT OF MEDIA: LESSONS FROM LONDON’S NEWS OF THE WORLD

I have met individuals who do not watch television or read newspapers. Others say media is a waste of time; that it is propaganda by those who own the world; control our minds and sell us stuff we don’t like.

Some say they admire former President Nyerere for delaying television in Tanzania.  For young people born post 1990, television is obvious but not us who grew up under Ujamaa and experienced television late.

A few days ago an old school mate visiting London touched on the same subject:

“Remember when we first saw television in Nairobi in 1971? At that time we hated Ujamaa and Nyerere. Now looking back the old man was right. How can a peasant living in a village thatch without enough food and electricity afford a television set?”

Yes. Arguments against television vary.

Powerful billionaire media chief, Rupert Mudoch