Media Studies - Newspapers

Codes and conventions of a tabloid

-popular press

-aimed at lower social groups

-bold and colourful

-language = informal, colloquial

-shorter articles

-puns and jokes in headlines

-celeb gossip

-use gimmicks

Code and conventions of a broadsheet

-quality, serious

-aimed at higher social groups

-formal language

-plainer layout with smaller pictures

-longer, more detailed articles

-focus on politics, international news and reviews of high culture

What's a gatekeeper?

Often an editor, someone who decides what content makes it into the newspaper

What is the purpose of a plug/puff

widens the newspaper's audience

What is a strapline?

text usually placed above/below headline to provide more information

What is a jumpline?

encourages reader to read on eg. turn to page 6

What is the standfirst?

block of text that introduces the story, normally in a different style

What is a splash?

prominent/sensational news story, often headline

Galtung & Ruge's News Values Theory

Recency

Currency

Negativity

Close proximity

Number of people effected

Elite people

Continuity

Uniqueness

High Expectedness

Simplicity

Exclusivity

Personal/human interest

When was Partygate scandal made public?

2021 - by Daily Mirror

How does The Times' masthead reflect it's ideology?

- serif font = reminiscent of it's history

- crest in the centre = long lasting quality and trustworthy (sign semiotics)

- news 'of the times'

What does the Times' headline imply?

'four' = subtle criticism, didn't have to mention number

'parties' = reckless, wild, irresponsible

'police investigate' = serious

- formal language and straight to the point

What other subtle language it used in the Times' article?

'he was directly involved'

'drinking culture'

'The Times Verdict'

What is the plug on The Times front cover promoting?

'I was bitten by a pandemic puppy' = light-hearted, comical

-> juxtaposes the serious and political headline (binary opposition)

Bright, contrasting colours of blue and yellow attract the readers attention

When did the Daily Mirror originate?

1903

Political stance of the Mirror

left-wing

Target class for the Daily Mirror

C2DE

How does the Mirrors masthead communicate meaning?

redtop = tabloid

sans serif, bold font = modern, progressive

name = reflects the people and stays true to them

slogan = "the heart of Britain" -> key in British culture and society

How do the Mirrors headline and subheading communicate meaning?

Headline = "zero shame" -> aggressive but direct, dramatic but informative (easy to understand for working class readership)

Subheading = "12 parties now probed by cops, 3 attended by the PM, 1 was in his own flat, 300 pictures handed over... and still"

All numbers highlighted in bright yellow -> connotation = hazardous/ warning, emphasises damage

Emotive language = "shame" -> sensationalist, shows left-wing political stance

How does the Mirrors plug communicate meaning?

"Tears for the King" - queens platinum jubilee

- reflects the Brits love for the monarchy

How does the Mirrors main image communicate meaning?

Main image = medium shot of Boris Johnson

Facial expression = smug, headline anchors it

It dominates the page -> no shame in humiliating him

How does the Mirrors caption communicate meaning?

"I'm not going"

- almost childish -> reflects the Mirrors hatred of the conservatives

What binary opposition is included on the Daily Mirrors front cover?

Labour vs Conservative

Main image of Johnson is juxtaposed by a smaller image of Keir Starmer

How is the Mirror showing its left-wing stance?

It openly humiliates and criticises Boris Johnson "zero shame", "shameless", "fallout", "brashly"

Venerates Starmer "crushing", "Starmer warned him the public think he should do the decent thing and resign"

How does the Mirror target working class audiences?

Colloquialisms - "cops, "lockdown bashes"

Image led

Price only 95p

Easy to read text "zero shame"

How does the main image of The Times communicate meaning?

Boris Johnson = looks disappointed/ashamed

Close up shot, indirect address = no power

Pull quote acts as an anchor = "Too little thought", "failures of leadership and judgement"

Political stance of The Times

centre-right wing

What was the Partygate scandal?

Number 10 was having several parties when the rest of the country was on lockdown

Publicly released in 2021

Led to Sue Gray report published in Jan 2022

Target audience of The Times

ABC1

What does the In The News section in The Times imply?

International news - serious and formal

Not headline = not prioritised (patriotic)

Includes jumplines for main inside stories

What is the headline and sub heading of The Times?

Headline = Police investigate PM's four lockdown parties

Subheading = Gray criticises leadership and drinking culture

Language and mode of address of the Times

Formal

Text = compact and detailed

Subheadings not generally used to split up text = readership is used to this

'The Times' Verdict' = opinion leader

Key social them of the Mirror

us vs them

- portray govt. negatively and represent the people

What does the strapline of the Mirror imply?

'Gray report fallout'

- negative connotations

Example of a synergetic relationship

A traditional print newspaper promoting its online presence and vice versa

Example of hybridity

Print newspapers mixing with digital media -> can reach and engage with readers in a range of ways

What is circulation?

distribution of the newspaper and the number of copies it sells

What is diversification?

expanding a newspapers product range ,platform, content offerings to reach broader audiences and to increase revenue

Example of diversification

Newspapers branch out to different platforms

Digital transformation (print->digital)

Headline for Mirrors double page spread

A main with no shame

Notable sensationalist language in the double page spread

"stain on our great nation"

"disgraced"

"no shame"

"rule-breaker"

Significance of colour red in double page spread

Fits Mirrors brand image and it being a tabloid/redtop

Could imply labour support

Could imply danger of BJ

Highlights Keir Starmers name and his quote "the British people aren't fools. They never believed any of it. He should do the decent thing and resign."

(Semiotics)

Analyse binary opposition in the central images of double page spread

BJ:

Medium close up shot

Drinking out of champagne flute = implies wealth/celebration

Smug facial expression

Caption ANCHORS image with "rule-breaker"

Hospital:

Panic, distress, suffering -> potentially death

Shows the consequences of BJ's actions

This binary opp reinforces how the govt. broke rules while people were suffering

BJ is villainised (Propp)

How is populism shown in the double page spread?

"Boris Johnson took us for fools"

"Stain on our great nation"

Villainises government

Includes personal stories from the public with language like "A mockery" and "I feel disgusted"

Binary opp of us vs them

Binary oppositions in double page spread

Boris Johnson vs nation

Boris Johnson vs Keir Starmer

us vs them

"quiet dignity" vs "his lying bombast"

Apply Representation theory to The Times front cover

The Times, through selection and combination, portrays it's implicit opinions on Johnson and his actions.

According to Hall, representation is the way meanings are produced through signs and codes.

We can see this here, through the use of a close up of Johnson showing his ashamed or perhaps smug facial expression. This is anchored by the pull quote including "failures of leadership and judgement"

Together, these position audiences to view Johnson in a negative light and to be aware of his failures.

This negativity is subtle but definitely there -> usually neutral - perhaps want to support the opinions of the grand majority

Apply representation theory to The Mirror front cover

According to Hall, representation is the way meanings are produced through signs and codes.

This is evident here, through the use of the dominant image of Johnson. His code of expression is smug implying his lack of care.

Caption and headline anchor image ("I'm not going" , "Zero shame"). Headline is dramatic and sensationalist with "zero" along with other statistics highlighted in a bold yellow (hazard/warning)

All these factors openly humiliate and disdain BJ's reputation.

These position audiences to take a left-wing political stance and take negative view on BJ

Apply representation theory to The Mirror double page spread

According to Hall, representation is the way meanings are produced by signs and codes.

This is evident here, first through the selection and combination of images. The dominant image portrays a hospital with doctors in "critical care". This is vastly juxtaposed by the smaller picture of Johnson with an unremorseful facial expression and a glass of champagne, connoting wealth and celebration.

These images villainise BJ and reinforces us vs them ideology

It also includes personal stories of covid from 'ordinary people' which builds emotional engagement and further tarnishes BJ's reputation.

Negative and sensationalist language features throughout "Stain on our great nation", "no shame"

Address from Keir Starmer "Dear Mirror readers" - personal tone and left wing stance

How is Boris Johnson portrayed in The Times according to Propp's Character theory

false hero

- previously portrayed protagonist qualities but good grace declined due to lack of focus and hypocrisy

2 step flow theory

1. mass media >> opinion leaders

2. opinion leaders >> individuals in social contact with opinion leaders