Expert to discuss role of social media in spreading disorder on 24 November

 A University of Leicester expert on politics and new media has been asked to speak at the Westminster e-Forum Keynote seminar on cyber-threats and protecting critical infrastructure on Thursday 24th November.

The seminar will also assess the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme and consider how effectively key parts of the nation’s infrastructure, including energy, communications and transport, can be protected from cyber crime.

Dr Reilly’s research focuses on issues surrounding the use of social media during periods of social unrest.  In particular he has studied the Stokes Croft riots and the events as portrayed by eyewitnesses through YouTube and Twitter.

He is also interested in how social media can spread rumours, which subsequently may be treated as fact by users.

Dr Reilly commented: “The August riots demonstrated the positive and negative aspects of social media during civil unrest. While the rioters used BBM to organise the violence, local communities responded positively to the disorder through the organisation of ‘riotcleanups’ on Twitter.

“The police also used these sites to quell rumours and provide accurate information to local residents in affected areas. Therefore, proposals to temporarily shutdown social media during riots are likely to hinder efforts to minimise the impact of these incidents on communities.”

The Westminster e-Forum is part of Westminster Forum Projects, a private company which organises seminars on public policy.

More information on the e-Forum on 24th November is available on the website:

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/event.php?eid=306