Social actors in political protests are the decision makers (politicians), the operationals (police), and the public (who create their own media). Stuart Price took his mobile phone to observe, film, and shoot pictures in Barcelona before, during, and after a protest rally in February. It’s theater, after the play the barriers are taken down and streets are being sweeped. Close circuit TV cameras, mobile phones, cameras, all create media. But we think we get the picture because the camera never lies – a person is being brutalized by the police – but there could be other legitimate reasons for things that happen. Be aware, we do not have the entire picture. Media have to look at differerent aspects of power when doing research: hierarchy, time, space, prepresentation, capital. How can researchers remain neutral? Stuart and his co-workers are on the side of the protesters generally, and they make that clear in their research plan and question. The techniques they use are neutral though.
Miss Communication 