newspaper 4b representaion in the Mirror Article & Analytical Comparison

why is the mirror article not just reporting an event ?

It combines several different media elements to build a clear
interpretation of the story.

what does double-page spread contains several different articles ,contain ?

ouble-page spread contains several different articles, but they all relate to Boris Johnson and the Partygate story.

Headline:

“A man with no shame”

Main image:

• NHS workers treating a Covid patient.

Supporting image:

• Boris Johnson holding a drink

what is the use of the centre image ,anchorage , binary opposition and meaning ?

centre image is placed in the middle of the spread to capture attention.

Anchorage. : The surrounding text anchors the image so that readers understand it relates to the Covid pandemic.

Binary opposition.The hospital scene represents the seriousness of the pandemic, while the image of Johnson holding a
drink represents a party atmosphere.

Meaning: This contrast encourages the reader to see Johnson’s behaviour as inappropriate.

Binary oppostiion - levi strauss

Hospital care during Covid vs Parties at Downing Street -

The hospital image represents the seriousness of the pandemic and the sacrifices made by healthcare workers.

This contrast:

“The image of Johnson holding a drink represents a party atmosphere.”

When these images are placed next to each other, the reader is encouraged to compare them.

This contrast suggests that while the public and healthcare workers were dealing with a serious crisis, the Prime Minister
was behaving irresponsibly.

what is an editorial ?

voice of the Mirror Editorials allow newspapers to express their opinion openly. extremely blunt and biased, because audiences understand they are opinion pieces. In this section the newspaper is not pretending to be neutral. It is telling readers directly what it thinks about the situation.

Example phrase: He is an embarrassment to our great nation.

how does it position the audience ?

This language encourages readers to share the newspaper’s criticism of the Prime Minister.

“This language constructs a very negative representation of Boris Johnson.”

• he phrase “embarrassment” suggests failure

• the phrase “our great nation” invites the reader to feel collective disappointment.

The Mirror represents Johnson as: irresponsible embarrassing for the country unfit for leadership.

mirrors purpose of political cartoon ?

• humour

• criticism

• satire

Satire uses humour or exaggeration to criticise political figures.
Instead of directly attacking a politician in a serious article, the
newspaper can make the criticism through jokes or cartoons.

In this cartoon: Vladimir Putin appears and Johnson is mocked.

Meaning.

“The cartoon suggests Johnson is a dangerous or incompetent leader.”

Important point:

Satire allows newspapers to criticise politicians while presenting the criticism as humour. Satire shapes how audiences see a political
figure.

If a politician is repeatedly mocked in cartoons, readers may begin to view them as foolish or incapable.

The cartoon works alongside the headline, images and editorial to reinforce the same negative representation of Boris Johnson.

Satire allows newspapers to criticise political figures through humour while still shaping how audiences perceive the

what is mirrrs interview column - public voices ?

The article includes interviews with members of the public.

These interviews represent the views of ordinary people.

interviewees appear to represent a wide range of society, including working-
class voices and people affected by Covid.

Meaning.

This creates the impression that criticism of Johnson is widespread.

Important concept:

The newspaper constructs a reality where the public are united in their criticism

how does Mirror constructs a highly critical representation of Boris Johnson ?

through dramatic language and contrasting images, while The Times presents the event through a more restrained
and procedural style of reporting.

Stuart Hall – Representation

Media producers encode meaning through language and images.Audiences decode meaning when interpreting media.

While journalists encode meaning through choices such as headlines, images and layout, these encourage varied

audiences interpretation through presenting these meanings in different ways depending on their beliefs.