newspapers

Genre Theory- Steve Neale

Three main points to the theory:​
That genres may be dominated by repetition, but are also marked by difference, variation, and change​
That genres change, develop, and vary, as they borrow from and overlap with one another​
That genres exist within specific economic, institutional and industrial contexts.

What was Partygate?

Partygate refers to the allegations of rule-breaking parties held by Boris Johnson and his staff during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.

Semiotics: Roland Barthes

1.Texts communicate their meanings through a process of signification:
-Two parts of meaning to every sign: the Signifier - the form (sound, image or word) and the Signified- the concept (the thought in your mind)
-The relationship between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary (i.e. signs have no intrinsic meaning)

2. Signs can function at the level of denotation, which involves the 'literal' or common-sense meaning of the sign, and at the level of connotation, which involves the meanings associated with or suggested by the sign
3. the idea that constructed meanings can come to seem self-evident, achieving the status of myth through a process of naturalisation:
   -if connotations are repeated a lot, they can become more like denotations.
   -creating recognisable myths
   -myths are then repeated across a wide variety of media, so we absorb them without question.

Mediation

The processes of selection and combination to construct a version of reality through the media.

Newspaper's Agenda

Each news brand has a pre-agreed political opinion. This then impacts how they choose to represent an event/issue/person so that it suits the values, attitudes and beliefs of the paper and their readers.

The Times front page: Layout and Design

-Main image: Focuses on Johnson: Cropped to show his facial expression
-Has a lot of copy (typical of broadsheets)
-Multiple (main and secondary) headlines: 'Police investigate PM's four lockdown parties' in middle of page
-Informative language: not emotional

The Daily Mirror front page: Layout and Design

• 'Zero Shame' (Headline) at bottom of page
  -Splash format- focuses on headline+ picture of Johnson+ not much copy
  -Red Masthead- shows it is a type of tabloid (red top)
  -Secondary image of Starmer (labour politician - Daily Mirror is a left-leaning paper)
  -Broader colour palette- yellow draws out the important information: Highlight of numerical information juxtaposes 'zero' in headline

The Daily Mirror double page spread: Layout and Design

-Headline: 'A man with no shame' at top of page
-Lot of copy
-Main image relates to story shows COVID-19 doctors and nurses: NHS positioned as heroes VS Boris as the 'villain.' i.e. look what was happening while he was partying.
-Secondary image focuses on Johnson (him at a party)
-Keir Starmer's name is emphasised
-Shows quotes/viewpoints from the 'average British person': Daily Mirror is the 'voice of the people.'

Similarities of layout and design between all set texts

-Main Images (+ secondary image on double page spread) all have the same subject (Johnson.)
-Word 'shame,' used in both headlines on Daily Mirror front page + double page spread because they are from the same paper - emphasises the idea of Johnson being shameless.
-The Times front cover and The Daily Mirror double page spread look similar because they both feature a lot of copy, arranged in columns.

Differences of layout and design between all set texts

-The Times front cover contains a lot more copy than the front cover of The Daily Mirror, because The Times is a broadsheet, and The Daily Mirror is a tabloid.

• The main image on the front cover of The Times is cropped to focus on Johnson's facial expression while the main image on the front cover of the Daily Mirror shows Johnson's head and torso (it is less cropped.)

The Times front page: Images

• Main image is cropped to show Johnson's facial expression
• Photo is candid (not staged)
• Indirect mode of address- Johnson is not looking at the camera.

The Daily Mirror front page: Images

-Photo is not cropped to closeup: you can see Johnson's head and torso
-Photo is candid
-Indirect: Johnson is not looking at the camera

The Daily Mirror double page spread: Images

-Main image draws attention to the issue of Covid- Shows doctors and nurses treating a patient
-Main image is candid and indirect
-Secondary image is of Johnson
-Secondary image is candid
-Secondary image is indirect: Johnson is not looking at camera

Similarities of images between all set texts

The main images for both The Times front cover and the Daily Mirror front cover are both candid and use an indirect mode of address, and both have Johnson as their subject. The secondary image on the double page spread also features a candid photo of Johnson. This is because all of the sources are commenting on the same story (Partygate) in which Johnson was the main person involved.

Differences of images between all set texts

The main image on the Times' front cover is cropped for the reader to be able to see Johnson's quite shameful facial expression, while the main image on the Daily Mail's front cover is not as cropped, and the reader is able to see a fuller picture of Johnson, including his head and torso.

The Times front page: Language and Mode of Address

-indirect mode of address
-'police' makes situation seem serious
-'failures of leadership.' criticises Johnson

The Daily Mirror front page: Language and Mode of Address

-Indirect mode of address
-'Zero shame,' harshly criticises Johnson

The Daily Mirror double page spread: Language and Mode of Address

• 'No shame'- Criticises Johnson, makes readers judge him: Repetition of the word 'shame' from the front page emphasises the meaning.
  -Direct mode of address used- 'Labour leader's message to you.' Story is positioned as a political scandal- one that affects all of us.
  -Keir Starmer directly addresses Mirror readers in a formal letter, so is aligned with them and in opposition with Boris.
  -Binary opposition in the sub-heading, highlighted through the word 'compare.'

Similarities of language and mode of address between all set texts

-All texts use language to criticise Johnson and present him in a negative way to the readers- for example, on the Times front cover it says that there were, 'failures of leadership and judgement,' and both of the texts that are a part of the Daily Mirror describe Johnson as shameless in some way.
-Both the Times front page and the Daily Mirror front page use an indirect mode of address and instead focus on sharing the information present with the reader.

Differences of language and mode of address between all set texts

-While both front pages use an indirect mode of address, the double page spread uses a direct mode of address clearly at the top of the pages-, 'Partygate: Labour leader's message to you.' This makes the story and the message seem more personal towards the reader.
-The times is a right leaning paper- therefore the choice of language is less harsh and less critical than that used in the Daily Mirror because Johnson is a conservative politician. The Daily Mirror is harsher because it is a left leaning paper and therefore sets out to portray Johnson negatively.

Theories of Representation- Stuart Hall

• the idea that representation is the production of meaning through a process of signification which is ideologically motivated.
• The idea that representations are often constructed using stereotypes, which reduce people to a few simple characteristics or traits (stereotyping is reductive)
• the idea that stereotypes reinforce inequalities of power, as subordinate or excluded groups are constructed as different or 'other'.

Stereotype

A widely held but fixed or oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Constructed in the media through a limited range of codes which are repeated often.

Explain why all stereotypes can be defined as harmful

They simplify people/things and focus on differences
They put groups of people into small boxes that do not consider how complex individuals are.
And through regular repetition we start to believe the stereotypes
Helping us to analyse Hall's idea that stereotyping, as a form of representation, reduces people to a few simple characteristics or traits

Explain why the media still uses stereotypes when constructing representations even though they are harmful.

They are a quick way to construct meaning
As stereotypes are recognised and interpreted very quickly by audiences
(because we have probably seen them before in other media texts).

Representation of Boris Johnson on the front page of The Times

-Image cropped to show his facial expression: presents him as guilty/shameful. Background of image is also blacked out to highlight this.
-His hair is messy/he looks unkempt: suggests he is irresponsible/unfit to be PM.
-Wearing suit so shows status but is mainly cropped out of the image
-'Failures of leadership,'- he is irresponsible/unfit to be PM.

Representation of Boris Johnson on the front page of The Mirror

-'Zero Shame' below a list of his alleged actions- what he did was wrong but he feels shameless: presents him as uncaring.
-Image shows his torso so you can see his suit: somewhat presents him as still having status (perhaps they are suggesting that status should be taken from him.)

Curran and Seaton - Theories of Power

Their three ideas:
that the media is controlled by a small number of companies primarily driven by the logic of profit and power.
that media concentration generally limits or inhibits variety, creativity and quality.
that more socially diverse patterns of ownership help to create the conditions for more varied and adventurous media productions.

Vertical integration

When a company owns subsidiaries at different stages of production, distribution and circulation: To increase power and control, to lower costs, and to keep profits 'in house.'

Synergy

Conglomerates demonstrate synergy through their ownership structure as subsidiaries work together for mutual benefit i.e. to make higher profit. They form 'synergistic partnerships.'

Diversification

To gain more power and profit conglomerates will acquire a wide variety of subsidiaries: Either so they control one marketplace (e.g. the newspaper industry) or across multiple industries, controlling other areas of the market. This allows for even more synergy through things like licencing deals. It also allows the exploitation of brand loyalty, as audiences may quickly migrate over to a brand extension due to familiarity.

Who are Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks?

Rupert Murdoch is the Executive Chairman of News Corp, and Rebekah Brooks is the CEO of News UK (used to be Editor-in Chief of the News of the World, a Murdoch owned tabloid.)

-Rupert Murdoch has been accused of influencing British politics through his newspapers.
-Those who he supports, through his newspapers, gain power.
-Politicians who do not follow his ideas have lost power.

Who is Piers Morgan?

Piers Morgan is an English broadcaster, journalist, writer and media personality. Morgan used to be Editor-in-Chief for the Daily Mirror but was fired in 2004.

Why do we (the public) need newspapers/journalists to follow rules about what they can do?

Everyone should have an entitlement to personal space/privacy: to prevent people from having that violated.
To prevent readers from seeing possibly disturbing things

What type of content within news production might require regulation?

-More disturbing/serious topics, e.g. war or people being attacked
-Anything that could cause outrage/an emotional response from the public
-Any story to make sure that its true
-Leaving out details that could possibly put people in danger e.g. someone's whereabouts.

Theories of Regulation - Livingstone and Lunt

• the idea that there is an underlying struggle in recent UK regulation policy between the need to further the interests of:​ citizens (by offering protection from harmful or offensive material), ​ and consumers (by ensuring choice, value for money, and market competition)
​
• the idea that traditional approaches to media regulation have been put at risk by​ the increasing power of global media corporations, ​together with the rise of convergent media technologies ​and transformations in the production, distribution and marketing of digital media

The Phone hacking scandal: Main points

-Phone hacking used to listen to people's mobile voicemail: Reporters and a private investigator working for the News of the World used it to target people in the news so they could find angles on stories that would get them ahead of the competition. They would listen to private messages and make a recording of them to use to write stories.
-The News of the World was shut down in 2011 after its owners admitted the scale of hacking that had been going on, dating back many years. Rupert Murdoch decided he had no choice but to close the newspaper down after it emerged Milly Dowler, a teenager who was abducted and murdered, had her voicemails hacked.

Demographics type of data + categories

Quantifiable statistics: Measurable info- graphs/charts are used to represent the data
-Age
-Employment Status
-Gender
-Level of Education
-Social Class (NRS grade)
-Income Level
-Race/Ethnicity
-Nationality
-Marital Status

Psychographics/Psychometrics type of data + categories

-Qualitative data: provides more description about individuality
-Young and Rubicam's 4 C's theory of psychographics can be applied
What people think is important, how they vote, how they spend their time/money etc.
Succeeders, Aspirers, Explorers, Mainstreamers, Strugglers and The Resigned

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Aspirers

Aspirers: People in this group seek status within society, and will generally consume brands that reflect their status and reputation: they will buy luxury designer brands, often using credit. Unlike reformers, aspirers are extremely materialistic. These people think of themselves as stylish, and therefore are persuaded by celebrity endorsement. Brands invested into by aspirers include expensive brands such as Gucci.

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Explorers

Explorers: Explorers like to discover new things and are attracted to new, innovative brands, and new experiences. They seek discovery.

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Mainstreamers

Mainstreamers: This category holds a higher majority of people, with it being made up of 40% of the population. People categorised into this category generally consume tested brands that are value for money. Brands consumed by this category include Nike, Adidas and similar brands. They typically follow the majority and like to think they're part of a large group of like-minded people. These people will seek security.

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Reformers

Reformers: Defined by self-esteem and self-improvement, reformers are not materialistic and not influenced by status, but rather by independence. They are social aware, and inclined to consume brands that are good for them (healthy), or environmentally friendly. Reformers seek enlightenment

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Succeeders

Succeeders: Succeeders typically have a high social status, have control over their lives, and have nothing to prove. They believe they deserve the best, and will consume brands that are serious and reliable. People categorised as a succeeder seek control.

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Resigned

Resigned: This group is predominately an older demographic. These people will have unchanging values and attitudes that have been formed over time. They trust and believe in brands, and traditions, that are familiar to them; their brand choices are driven by a need for safety and economy. People in the resigner category will generally find a brand that the like, and will stick and consume that brand for a long period of time. These people generally tend to just seek to survive.

Young and Rubicam's 4Cs model: Strugglers

Strugglers: Strugglers have a 'live for the day' attitude, and have little thought about the future. Strugglers may see themselves as victims, and losers, who are aimless, disorganised people with few resources apart from their own physical skills. They believe more in fate and luck rather than being responsible. Strugglers' brand consumption choices will factor down to visual impact, and physical sensation. These people are typically larger consumers of alcohol and junk food, and they'll seek escape.

The Times Audience

Gender- around 54% male and 46% female
Age- predominantly 35-64
Business- The Times is the UK's number 1 print title for reaching the UK's business professional
Political leaning- Centre right
Green- around 720,000 Times readers are interested in topics which involve the environment, natural world and the countryside
Pets- 45,000 Times readers own a pet
Entertainment:
-Times readers are 89% more likely to have visited a museum or gallery in the past year
-1 in 2 times readers enjoy 'splashing out,' on a meal in a restaurant
-280,000 Times readers visit the cinema more than once a month
Economic: mean family income £55.885, 62% social grade AB

The Daily Mirror audience

Gender- around 55% Male and 45% Female
Age- Majority readers are between 55-74. A typical mirror reader is 60.
Family- A typical Mirror reader is married
Grade- 67% of readers are ABC1 readers
Political- Centre-left

The Daily Mirror: Historical Context

Founded in 1903 by Alfred Harmsworth, who at the time owned the Daily Mail. ​
In 1914, Northcliffe passed ownership of the Mirror to his brother Harold Harmsworth. The Mirror was sold to Robert Maxwell in 1984. When Maxwell died unexpectedly in 1991, the Mirror was left with significant debts, which led to its purchase by the Trinity Group in 1991, forming the Trinity-Mirror group (now Reach PLC). ​
Now owned by Reach PLC.

The Times: Historical Context

Began in 1785 under the title' the Daily Universal,' founded by John Walter. (older)​
Was taken over by John Walter's son, John Walter II, in 1803, followed by John Walter III in 1848. The Times remained in the Walter family up to 1908, when it was bought by Lord Northcliffe of the Daily Mail. Following his death, The Times was bought by John Jacob Astor. The Astor family sold The Times to the Canadian media entrepreneur Roy Thomson n 1966 and Rupert Murdoch's News International purchased The Times from Roy Thomson in 1981.​
Now owned by News Corp.

The Times: Economic context

The Current daily cover price for the Times is £2.80 and for the Daily Mirror it's £1.60.​
Compared to other UK newspapers, this is relatively average/cheap. For example, the most expensive UK newspaper is FT weekend which has a cover price of £5.10, and the cheapest ones are the I and Daily Star which both come out at under one pound each. ​
The cover prices may have increased in the last few years, not only due to general inflation but also the fact that many paper mills have closed as a result of reduced demand caused by the widespread shift to online reading. As the economy returns to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic, this has led to an enormous and rapid rise in prices charged by the paper mills that remain open.

The Daily Mirror: Economic Context

In 2022, profits for the Daily Mirror fell by 31% in the first 6 months.​
To cut costs recently, the owners, Reach, have shut off most of its offices, leaving staff to pick up heating bills while working from home. ​
The profit that The Times is currently making is £73.2 million.​
The reason for this profit is Times Media adding 70,000 digital-only subscribers.​

The Times: Social context/ Social media

On The Times' Instagram, they tend to include a singular image in the post with a Headline, before summarising the story in the post's caption and encouraging audiences to go and read the full article on their website. This is different to newspapers because it offers very little information and instead aim to capture audience's attention quickly.​
Audiences may be choosing online news over print because it is easier to access, and also because there is a wider range of topics and articles to choose from when reading news online. Also, online news is more environmentally friendly.

Who owns The Times?

The Times is owned by the conglomerate News UK.

Who is the CEO of News UK?

Rebekah Brooks

Since when has Rebekah Brooks been the CEO of News UK?

Since September 2015.

What was Rebekah Brooks' role before becoming CEO of News UK?

Editor of The Sun.

What significant role did The Times play in digital subscriptions?

The Times was a pioneer in paid-for digital subscriptions.

What other news brands does News UK own?

The Sun, The Sun on Sunday, and The TLS.

What national broadcast brands does News UK own?

talkSPORT, Times Radio, Talk, and Virgin Radio UK.

Who is the parent company of News UK?

News Corp.

Who is the CEO of News Corp?

Robert Thomson.

Since when has Robert Thomson been the CEO of News Corp?

Since January 2013.

What position did Robert Thomson hold before becoming CEO of News Corp?

Editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Company.

What significant achievement did Robert Thomson have while at The Times of London?

He presided over a significant expansion of its readership in print and on the Web.

What award did Robert Thomson receive in 2001?

U.S. Business Journalist of the Year.

When did News Corp sell 21st Century Fox?

In 2019.

Daily mirror ownership

The Daily Mirror is owned by the conglomerate Reach PLC. ​
Apart from the Daily Mirror, Reach PLC owns other well-known news brands such as the Daily Express, Daily Record and Daily Star. They also own more local brands such as MyLondon, BelfastLive and the Manchester Evening News.​
Reach PLC was known as Trinity Mirror until 2018 when the name was changed. Reach said that the reason for this was that the name 'Trinity Mirror,' no longer reflected the business. Reach had grown significantly since its emergence in September 1999, prompting the name change. ​
PLC stands for a Public Limited Company and is a type of public company that's allowed to offer its shares to the public and is listed on a stock exchange. The use of the phrase "public limited company" or the PLC abbreviation after a company's name is mandatory. This signals to investors and other parties that the business is publicly traded and subject to stringent financial regulations and reporting requirements

Oligopoly

When just a few companies control an industry/marketplace, leading to a lack of competition.

Media Concentration

When the number of different companies in ana industry decline because they merge or are acquired by a conglomerate.

Media Plurality

Having multiple voices and opinions represented by different outlets. This is a central principle to the functioning of a democracy.​

The UK media report 2022

In 2023, DMG Media controlled 20% of the UK news market, News Uk controlled 18% and Reach controlled 10%​
In 2022, for the Daily Mirror, the circulation figures were: 6.82% share of circulation, 309,663 average circulation and a -12.62% change from 2021. For The Times they were: 7.24% share of circulation, 328,700 average circulation and a -2.72% change from 2021. ​
Out of the newspapers, The Sun had the highest circulation figures which were an average circulation of 1,058,350 and a share of the circulation of 23.31%.​
Based on the weekly circulation figures, DMG Media has the bigger share of the newspaper market. For example, it has a 41.60% share of circulation while News Uk has 32.59% and Reach has 15.63%.​
Out of The Times and The Mirror, The Mirror has the higher online share. For example, The Mirror's reach is 12% while The Times' is 6%.

Production

all the processes which go into making a media text and different roles responsible for these processes.

Distribution

all the processes by which an audience is made aware of a media text (marketing) and able to access a media text (point of consumption.)

Circulation

all the processes involved in spreading the messages to the widest possible audience. These processes can involve both the industry and the audience.

Processes of Distribution in News

Traditionally, newspapers were distributed once a day to the shops, people had to wait before they could get the next news update.​
When TV news began it was very popular because it broadcast news multiple times a day at schedhuled times and included video reports- Newspaper sales declined.​
In the late 90s newspapers started to distribute news via their own websites - Newspaper sales declined​
The Times website was one of the first launched in 1995.​
In the 2000s, smart phones and tablets led to newspapers making apps to distribute news- Newspaper sales declined. ​
However, the changing methods of distribution have allowed newspaper companies to remain profitable.

Gatekeepers

Can be used as a collective noun for all the people who have power over what goes into the news.
In terms of newspapers, this would refer to the owners, editors, journalists, photographers, graphic designers etc.​
However, they are not just in control of what is included in the news, but also what is omitted - what we experience in the media is controlled by the gatekeepers

Ideologies

Means a shared belief system: a set of conscious and unconscious ideas which make up one's goals, expectations and motivations. ​
All newspapers communicate meaningful messages- these messages are constructed from the point of the view of the gatekeepers.​
All news is therefore ideological.

Questions to include in an analysis of Representation.

WHO and/or WHAT is being represented?​
HOW have the representations been constructed to support/challenge stereotypes?​
WHICH ideologies are being supported by the representations and WHOSE viewpoint is being represented?​
WHY has the representation been created that way?​
WHAT effect might the representation have on an audience?​

Representation: WHO? (set texts)

Boris Johnson's real name is Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson​
Johnson studied at the University of Oxford- 27 PMs overall went to this university. ​
Before becoming a politician, Johnson was known for his journalism. ​
Johnson was the mayor of London, and during his mayoralty, Johnson oversaw the preparations and hosting of the 2012 Summer Olympics and oversaw the cycle hire scheme. He also with introduced the New Routemaster buses and the Thames cable car, while promoting the proposed Garden Bridge over the River Thames.​
Johnson has written about other Prime Ministers, most notably Winston Churchill. ​
Boris Johnson seemed to have a positive attitude towards Brexit, describing it as 'freedom' for the UK.

Representation- WHICH ideologies? (set texts)

The Daily Mirror:
Owned by Reach plc​
Editor-in-chief is Caroline Waterston​
Article in set text written by Pippa Crerar

The Times:
Owned by News Corp​
Editor-in-chief is Tony Gallagher​
Article in set text written by Steven Swinford and Oliver Wright

Front page of the times layout and design

The layout and design of the front page is
conventional of this style of broadsheet, quality
newspaper, which is generally text led rather
than image led. The Times usually has an image,
which may be a standalone, a main story, a
secondary story (usually in a right-hand column)
and a plug. There is also often an 'In the News'
section at the bottom of the page with jump
lines linked to the main inside stories.

The Times front cover masthead

The masthead is bold and recognisable and
effectively signifies the ideology of the paper,
suggesting that it reports and reflects upon the
issues of the time. The typography chosen is
strong and commands the front page and is
placed either side of the crest and logo. The
lion and the unicorn are symbols appearing on
heraldic crests, and the slogan Dieu et Mon Droit

• God and My Right - dates to King Richard 1st.
  The fact that this has remained unchanged by the
  newspaper suggests that they intend to reinforce
  their longevity and traditional values.

The times front cover headline and subheading

The headline 'Police investigate PM's four
lockdown parties' is informative rather than
dramatic and enigmatic. The same is true of
the sub-heading 'Gray criticises leadership and
drinking culture'. However, there is subtle,
implicit criticism through the selection and use
of language, for example including the number
'four' and choosing the specific aspect of the
report that comments on a 'drinking culture'

The times front cover pull quotes

The pull quotes that accompany the
central image are direct quotations from Sue
Gray's report, denoted by the large quotation mark to emphasise their importance. Positioning
them in white on the black background gives
them prominence and means that they function
as an anchor for the image of the Prime Minister.

The Times front cover central image

The central image is a close-up photograph of
Boris Johnson with an indirect mode of address.
His code of expression shows some trepidation
of what is to come as he goes to the Commons.
The newspaper has selected this photograph to
suggest that he does have questions to answer,
whilst not explicitly criticising him.

The Times front cover caption

The caption is long and gives information based
on facts, placing the photograph in a context
rather than taking an active stance. This is a
typical convention of this style of newspaper.

The Times front cover language and mode of address

The language and mode of address used for
the stories on the front page are formal. The
text is compact and detailed; subheadings
are not generally used to split up the stories
into sections, suggesting that the readers are
comfortable with detailed information and
analysis. There is a sub-heading 'The Times
Verdict' with jump lines to the analysis of
the story on the inner pages, establishing the
newspaper as an opinion leader.

The Times according to Levi-Strauss (structuralism)

Newspapers, like other media products, create
meaning through the way in which they are
structured. Their use of typical codes and
conventions fulfil audience expectations and
appeal to loyal readers. However, the way in
which the conventions are employed across
newspapers will communicate different
meanings; for example, the use of headlines,
language and mode of address differs between
popular and quality newspapers. Meaning is dependent on pairs of oppositions; the way these oppositions are used and resolved reflects the ideology of the newspaper.
The Times demonstrates less explicit political
allegiance compared to a tabloid publication and
therefore may offer more than one viewpoint
on an issue. The resolution of oppositions may
only be evident and more explicit in something
such as an editorial or an opinion piece, where
the political allegiance of the paper may be more
obvious.

Starting points: Representation (The Times)

The construction of the representation of the
event and the key player on the front page
is dominated by the central image of Boris
Johnson, anchored by a headline, sub-headings
and pull quotes.
• The choice of the image of Boris Johnson
focuses on his code of expression of trepidation
on his way to the Commons, anchored by
the caption and the large quote from Sue
Gray's report. Unlike a tabloid newspaper,
the representation of the event and Boris
Johnson's role in it is more implicit. However,
the selection and combination of images
and language constructs a subtly negative
representation. The choice of pull quotes from
the report, placed next to the image of the PM,
implicitly directs blame at his behaviour: 'There
were failures of leadership and judgment by
different parts of number 10 …'. The inclusion
of the ellipsis creates an enigma suggesting that
there is more to be seen in the report.
Similarly, the construction and choice of
language in the headlines and subheadings
represent the event and the PM in a negative
way - 'PM's four lockdown parties' implies
Boris Johnson's involvement and the use of
'four' points out the seriousness of the event.
The use of the phrase 'drinking culture' also
constructs a negative representation of the event.
This construction of the representation of the
event does not reflect the newspaper's usual
political allegiance, which would be to support
the government. It may be that the newspaper
feels responsible as an opinion leader to reflect
the reactions of many people with differing
political views to the transgresses of the
government.