In his documentary series Small Town, Big Riot, Mobeen Azhar investigates the roots of the racist riots that erupted in the UK, particularly focusing on an incident in Kirkby near Liverpool. The program highlights how online disinformation fuels ordinary people to become racist vigilantes, as they reject mainstream media in favor of wild rumors spread on platforms like Facebook and Telegram.
Azhar delves into the incident that sparked the riots, where a video emerged showing a refugee inappropriately propositioning a young girl who filmed the encounter. Through interviews and conversations with locals, Azhar uncovers the complex web of factors that lead to such outbreaks of violence, including economic decline, lack of job opportunities, and inflammatory rhetoric by politicians and the media.
The documentary sheds light on the impact of austerity politics, divisive headlines, and the scapegoating of migrants and refugees on social cohesion. Azhar’s investigative journalism goes beyond the surface to understand the deep-seated issues that fuel racism in communities facing economic hardship.
Small Town, Big Riot offers a sobering look at the consequences of misinformation and prejudice, as well as the challenges of addressing deep-rooted racism and hostility towards marginalized communities. The series provides a nuanced and insightful analysis of the complex social dynamics at play in the UK and beyond.
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