Diagram of the times - set text | Quizlet

what type of newspaper is the times?

british national QUALITY BROADSHEET

when was the times first published?

1785

why were broadsheets called broadsheets originally?

because of their original larger size

who is the publisher of the times?

the times newspapers since 1981 (a subsidary of news uk)

who is news uk owned by?

NEWS CORP

rupert murdoch's company

what other newspapers do the times newspaper publish?

- sunday times

- the sun

- the sun on sunday

- the news of the world

what political leaning do the times take?

- neutral

- right wing allegiance

- supports tories at key times ege general elections

has a range of journalists w varied political viewpoints - allows newspaper to offer a more neutral + balanced political stance on issues

how does the newspaper describe itself?

' a faithful recorder of the times for more than 200 years. it is authoritative, credible, responsible, trusted + part of the nation's cultural heritage. a premium british brand recognise the world over'

set edition context

FEB 1 2022

focuses on the report into the investigation into parties @ downing street when the country was under lockdown restrictions

political context

deals w the scandal surrounding allegations of parties + social gatherings held by tory party when leaders had enforced string restrictions in the uk that prohibited gatherings

when was the story first reported?

in november 2021

what was alleged?

during the lockdown christmas of 2020, parties had been held at downing street + some were attended by boris johnson

what happened following the allegations?

an inquiry was undertaken by senior civil servant sue gray - results published in jan 2022

what happened on the day the edition was published? (feb 1 2022)

johnson was due to give a statement to the commons ab what had happened

was reported in the newspaper that sue gray revealed the met police were investigating several possible breaches of lockdown by no 10 + boris johnson had refused calls for his resignation

who is the target audience for the times?

ABC1 demographic

interest in news + analysis in detail

how is the target audience targeted?

- news values of paper

- selection of stories

- how particular social groups are represented

why have the times chosen to focus on this story?

they want to accurately present the news + its effect on society

is not explicitly critical of the gov on the front page, story cut across political divides w members of both tory + labour party are equally shocked by the findings

what is the significance of the newspaper plug?

reflects a cultural context w a lifestyle focus intended to broaden the appeal of the newspaper

plug

TERM

price

DEFINITION

Priced at £2.20 - almost double that of a tabloid newspaper, reflects the more affluent readership.

headline

TERM

main image

DEFINITION

close-up shot of Boris Johnson against a black background, which could symbolise the dark times the PM was going through. The codes of expression are ambiguous: could denote acknowledgement of wrongdoing – or be a derisory smirk suggesting the opposite.

TERM

image caption

DEFINITION

anchors its meaning, while the two pull quotes from Sue Gray’s update placed alongside the image of BJ attribute blame for the ‘failures of leadership’ to him. although this is quite neutral + factual, words such as 'four' and 'drinking culture' is subtly criticising the governments failures

significance of masthead

•The masthead signifies the ideology of the publication. The Times is a long-running paper and the name suggests that it is up to date and reflects current issues of ‘the time’.

•The typography used in the masthead is a strong, bold capitalised serif font and has a commanding place either side of the newspaper’s crest and logo. This reflects the more traditional aspect of the newspaper and its long history in the industry. The lion and the unicorn are symbolic of England and Scotland and are part of the royal coat of arms.

•Unlike other newspapers, The Times has kept its masthead unchanged (except some changes to the font type), which reinforces its place in press history.

•The royal crest has been part of the paper since it was first published in 1785 and the slogan ‘Dieu et Mon Droit’ meaning ‘God and My Right’

•The combination of the modern typeface and the traditional emblem signifies the dual ideology of the newspaper.

TERM

bullet point subheadings

DEFINITION

deliver key information in an objective way - declarative sentences.

TERM

bylines

DEFINITION

identify the writers as being specialists in their fields of politics and policy respectively.

TERM

opening of article

DEFINITION

equally objective, using facts such as 'at least four lockdown parties' and '300 photographs'. It also includes a quote from Sue Gray, in which she 'accused Downing Street of serious failures of "leadership and judgement"'.

secondary story

TERM

other news stories

DEFINITION

Six news stories are showcased in the 'In the news' section at the bottom of the page, which conforms to the z-line layout and the visual hierarchy that places less prominent stories lower down.

significance of topics

TERM

times crest

DEFINITION

has links to traditionalism - has coat of arms with lion (england) and unicorn (scotland) connotes more traditional conservative values of the paper + slogan 'dieu et mon droit' (god and my right) dates to king richard 1st - this has remained unchanged + suggests they intend to reinforce their longevity + traditional values

TERM

fitness article

DEFINITION

targets a female audience (times audience is mainly female) who are more appearance, health conscious. also image of woman shown. links to middle class audience who may not have time to spend in fitness and want to do the 'bare minimum'

TERM

dateline - 1st feb 2022

DEFINITION

day the information came out by civil servant sue gray where she had investigated reports + allegations of the conservative parties during lockdown - abuse of power reinforces us vs them binary opposition

TERM

times2

DEFINITION

has more sensational soft news story coverage and generally covers arts/sports/culture ect

quote by sue gray

TERM

codes of expression

DEFINITION

could either be interpreted as him smirking and looking unshameful, however is more likely to be him looking shameful and guilty of his actions, he feels as if he failed the nation

TERM

puff image

DEFINITION

fact they have chosen to put the puff image on top of the masthead connotes that they want people to be drawn to this first visually - perhaps targets a female audience

TERM

'times'

DEFINITION

makes it more politically resonant as they are able to keep up to date with news stories and what is going on the world - also was the first newspaper to coin the name the times

TERM

split front page

DEFINITION

split between political stories + a plug promoting times2

TERM

layout + design

DEFINITION

is conventional for a broadsheet, quality newspaper that is usually text-led not image-led - times usually has a standalone image, a main story, secondary story in right hand column + a plug. often an 'in the news section at bottom page w jump lines linked to the main stories inside

TERM

masthead

DEFINITION

is bold + recognisable + signifies the ideology of the newspaper - suggesting it reports + reflects the issues of the time. typography chosen is strong, serif + commands the front page + is placed on either side of the crest + logo

TERM

plug

DEFINITION

The image from the Times2 plug partially covers the masthead, denoting a more modern convention and connoting

• ‘How to be fit?’ article in the Times2 supplement – perhaps to appeal to female audiences due to the choice of images and codes of colour (turquoise). plug is also constructed differently to page, uses a bright colour palette to differentiate between the serious (hard news) + lighter (soft news) elements of the newspaper's content

TERM

pull quote

DEFINITION

links to emphasis on factual news and detailed quality reporting, rather than choosing one section or paraphrasing they have provided audiences with the full truth and allow audiences to formulate their own opinions on the situation - direct quotes from sue gray are emphasised using the large quotation marks to emphasise the importance + truth in them - they are positioned on a black background to give them prominent + stand out more - they anchor the image of BJ

TERM

secondary story

DEFINITION

a continuity story relating to the legacy of the pandemic. It places The Times as a trusted news source using phrases such as ‘The Times understands…’

TERM

headline

DEFINITION

'Police investigate PM's four lockdown parties' is relatively neutral and unemotive. - it is more informative, not enigmatic/dramatic like a tabloid sensationalist newspaper

TERM

secondary stories - 'in the news'

DEFINITION

•Two of the stories are related to elite persons in foreign and global news, two are related to tax and the financial markets, one to the issue of migrants and the other to sport. These topics are conventional for broadsheet newspapers and offer serious content for the readers who may well include succeeders, explorers and reformers with outward-looking ideologies and values. + offers a brief summary of other content from a global aspect - serious + formal mode of address

TERM

main image

DEFINITION

close up shot of bj with an indirect mode of address - codes of expression shows trepidation of what is to come as he goes to the commons - the times have chosen this image not bc they are criticising him but suggests that he does have questions to answer. anchored by the caption + quote from sue gray. unlike a tabloid, the rep of the event + boris' role in it is more implicit

TERM

language + mode of address

DEFINITION

formal + the text is compact + detailed - subheadings are not used to split stories into sections, suggesting that readers are comfortable w detaield information/analysis - subheading 'the times analysis' w jump lines the the analysis of the story on the inner pages, establishingn newspaper as an opinion leader

applied theory - levi strauss

- newspapers create meaning through the way they are structured, use of typical codes + conventions are employed across newspapers + communicate diff meanings eg the use of headlines, language + mode of address differs between popular + quality newspapers

- meaning is dependent on pairs of oppositions + the way these oppositions are used and resolved reflect the ideology of the newspaper

- times demonstrates less explicit political allegiance compared to a tabloid newspaper + may offer more than one viewpoint on an issue

- resolution of oppositions may only be evident + more explicit in something eg the editorial/an opinion piece, but political allegiance of the paper may be more obvious

key info

- newspapers have access to the same stories daily but can choose how to represent events + issues in a way that reflects the values, attitudes + beliefs of the paper + their readers

- the way events/ issues/social groups are represented affect the audience response

- newspapers are opinion leaders + influence how audience respond to issues/events

TERM

selection + combination of images/language

DEFINITION

constructs a subtly negative representation

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 + judgement by different parts of number 10..' - ellipsis creates an enigma suggesting that there is more to be seen in the report

construction + choice of language in headlines + subheadings

represent the event + the pm in a negative way - 'pm's four lockdown parties' implies bj's involvement was not a 'one off' thing + 'four' emphasises the seriousness of the event

phrase 'drinking culture' constructs a negative representation of the event

construction of representation

is not conventional for the newspaper + does not reflect their usual political allegiance, which is to support the gov

newspaper feels responsible to be an opinion leader to reflect the reactions of many ppl w different political views to the transgresses of the gov

construction of reps of the event

positions the audience to consider the facts ab the event - positioned in an informative way + to make their own decision ab it

although it is a right-wing publication, some ppl will be shocked by the revelations of the breaking of lockdown restrictions by those in positions of power + some will continue to support the government

subheading 'the times verdict. full analysis and comment inside'

suggests these binary oppositions may be resolved by the newspaper's opinion contained in these inner pages - but we actually have to read inside the newspaper to know their opinion on the situation

applied theory: stuart hall's representation theory

- front page produces meaning through language used - uses recognisable signs that are interpreted by the audience eg headlines, image choices, language + mode of address

- choices contribute to the construction of the event + encode meanings that are able to be decoded by audiences

news uk

- british based, american owned newspaper publisher

- subsidary of american mass media conglomerate, news corp

first published

1785

news corp

- newly formed company

- concentrates on newspaper + publishing

- company produces the sun + previously news of the world - ceased production after the phone hacking scandal in 2011

- company has demonstrated a right wing political allegiance w the sun, backing the tory gov in recent elections

the times website

- has addressed changes in tech + audience consumption of news

- one of the first companies in the uk introduce an online newspaper + paywalls (readers have to pay a subscription to use the site) - was introduced in response to the fall in print sales

the times - political allegiance

remained more neutral

esp in brexit debate - readers compromised of both leavers + remainers

2016 combined website

the times + sunday times launched a combined website

moved from rolling news to an edition based digital format, updated 3 times a day to match reading patterns of audience

2020 times radio

news uk launched times radio in attempt to increase the take-up of digital subscriptions of the newspaper

- times still has higher reach in print sales than online

who regulates the times?

IPSO

ipso

independent press standards organisation

independent body not backed by gov + fully funded by industry

maintains press standards + is anti-leveson

applied theory: curran + seaton - power + media industries

- newspaper industry is dominated by small no of powerful companies

- times is part of a horizontally + vertically integrated company + a large conglomerate

- being part of a huge press organisation could limit/inhibit creativity + journalist freedom

murdoch is often accused of controlling his newspaper content + editorial teams

- having a more diverse pattern of ownership could create conditions for more varied + adventurous media productions

applied theory: livingstone + lunt - regulation

- the times newspaper group + news corp face increased pressure alongside the rest of the uk press industry to adhere to strict rules/regulations on industry practise

- has happened bc of the phone hacking scandal + leveson enquiry

- underlying issue of protecting citizens from harmful + fake material while mainting choice + freedom of the press through responsible journalism

- increasing power of companies eg news corp + expansion into digital media has placed traditional approaches to regulation at risk

applied theory: david hesmondhalgh - cultural industries

- times newspaper group is part of a vertically + horizontally integrated company w a wide range of titles on offer to maximise audiences + minimise risks

- reach of news corps spans a range of diff cultural industries, enhancing their global power

- times benefits from access to other cultural industries + is financially protected

- does not see digital media as a threat, but has embraced it's digital expansion + introduced paywalls to allow for online content to be viewed while still generating income

- part of news corp + part of a wide organisation responsible for diff cultural industries

- can benefit the newspaper w production + promotion

target audience

ABC1

over 35

right wing political stance

well educated + middle class

interested in national + global affairs

seek detailed political reporting

media language + targeting audience

FRONT PAGE: choice + style of main headline + central image attracts reader + communicates the view the newspaper is taking on the story

BREADTH: inclusion of hard + soft news eg times2 lifestyle supplement

DIGITAL FORMAT: edition-based digital format addresses need to target broader audience + understands the times readers prefer a digital edition - some daily updates, resembling the print format. distribution across digital platforms allow for updates, appealing to younger audiences + the times radio

media language

FRONT PAGE: less explicit in political allegiance, but other pages in newspaper + digital platforms reinforce the right-wing ideology of the newspaper eg the editorial + opinion pieces + political cartoons

LETTERS PAGE: culturally iconic + offers readers the opportunity to air their views + interact w the community of the newspaper. this page + the comment section reflect the readership; their issues + concerns

VALUES, ATTITUDES + BELIEFS: and they way they represent particular stories resonate w like-minded readers who have chosen the newspaper bc of it's right wing stance. readers are made to feel part of the newspapers community + that their stories + articles reflect their views - audience accepts preferred reading of newspaper

applied theory: gerbner - cultivation theory

- audience exposure to repeated exposure of reps eg brexit, economy or gov in power shape + influence their views + opinions of the world around them

- not like the hypodermic model but depends on what the audience already believes

- newspapers function as opinion leaders + mediate the news for readers with their political allegiance in mind

- views will be cultivated + reinforced by the newspaper + its content

applied theory: stuart hall - reception

- producers of newspapers encode ideas into texts that are intended to be decoded by audiences

- intended audiences agree w the ideology + will accept the viewpoint evident in stories + opinion pieces

- audiences w a diff political allegiance will have an oppositional response + disagree w the messages constructed by the newspaper - won't buy/read a publication that doesn't reflect their ideas/opinions

applied theory: shirky - end of audience

- concept of passive consumers is no longer tenable in the age of digital technologies - enabled the rise of the prosumer who can create their own content submitting stories as a citizen journalist offering an immediate perspective on news stories

- consumers can actively engage + 'speak back' to the news media

- times newspaper + website offers interactive features for readers to comment on stories + features, giving them a voice as part of the community

social + cultural context

- right wing publication in a largely right wing press

- generally neutral but favours the gov + its policies

- content reflects the needs of the abc1 audience

economic context

- newspaper industry has faced economic pressure in recent years as sales of print copies has fallen

- ownership is v significant - print sales are declining + ad revenue is falling

- newspapers eg the times (part of larger, powerful conglomerates) are more protected from economic risks

- some newspaper titles incl the times have introduced subscriptions to access digital products + secure an income

political context

paper is right wing + quality broadsheet - selects stories + presents them in a way that reflects their political ideology + appeals to their right-leaning readership

- news agenda reflects the needs of readers for detailed + informative reporting