A man with no shame - how does this double page spread represent issues, events, people and places?

Initial discussion - double page spread

• The entire double page spread features a number of different articles. However, the headlines and themes of each of them relate explicitly to the then PM Boris Johnson
• Boris Johnson is represented in a universally negative way throughout the double spread, constructing a highly repetitious and clearly politically biased mode of address.
• This biased mode of address allows the producer to target working class labour supporter
• The composition is cramped and overwhelming, reinforcing the reality that this is a complex situation, and there is a lot to learn
• Elements found on the spread include:
• Political cartoon
• Comments/public interview column
• The centre spread splash/image/headline 
• Editorial 
• Article by Keir Starmer
• Article about a covid survivor
• Use of straightforward and often informal or even colloquial language hints at a working class and Labour supporting audience (left wing).
• The centre spread image takes up a lot of page space, and through ithe MES of the hospital setting, constructs a clear emotional response. In doing so, the producers of this newspaper can ensure that audiences will actually buy the newspaper.
• The layout is complex yet organised, with a significant amount of text. While tabloid newspapers typically favour images over text, the amount of copy here is somewhat unconventional for tabloid newspapers, and clearly provides the audience with a whole range of information
• Audiences typically will read certain aspects in detail while skipping over others allowing them to follow their own interests. The range of modes of address and representations in this double page spread make this possible. 
• The range of different addresses allows the mirror to construct a reality that is appropriate to every audience. This consequently allows the newspaper's biased and highly manipulative representation of reality to appeal to as many working class and left leaning audience members as possible.

Centre spread image/splash

• By being situated directly in the middle, the centre spread image presents an eye catching and impossible to ignore message for the target audience. While the image is technically ambiguous, the constant anchorage surrounding the image informs the audience that this medical emergency is related to covid, constructing the reality that covid is an international disaster and life threatening 
• The caption under the image of Johnson reads "RULE BREAKER: Boris Johnson took us all for fools”. The lexis rule breaker constructs the straightward representation of Johnson as a criminal. Additionally, the use of the word ‘US’ constructs the readership of the Mirror as a community as opposed to a simple audience. 
• The huge splash image of the chaotic hospital scene forms a binary opposition with the image of Johnson. With the MES of a suit and a glass of prosecco, the party setting isd a world apart from the chaos and confusion and misery of an intensive care unit. While the image is potentially from a completely different time period, the anchorage of this image being placed next to brave saviours of the NHS. The combination of images here constructs a completely convincing version of reality where the covid pandemic is actually Johnson’s fault 
• A hyperbolic mode of address
• The headline ‘A Man With No Name’ is an intertextual reference to Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western trilogy featuring Clint Eastwood. This pun is typical of tabloid newspapers, and also reinforces that Johnson is ridiculous and should be laughed at. 

Editorial - where a newspaper will take a particular point of view under the guise of opinion

• Editorials allow newspaper producers to present extremely blunt, biased and potentially unsubstantiated representations based on the assumption that audiences will know this is simply an opinion. However, the blunt anchorage that this editorial takes by being positioned so close to several more factual stories reinforces the reconstruction of reality that The Mirror is constructing, and further constructs Johnson as a dangerous liar. 
• “He is an embarrassment to our great nation”. This insulting mode of address directly includes and invites the reader to join in the hatred of Johnson. Additionally , the lexis “our great nation” constructs a patriotic mode of address, which also reinforces the representation of the UK as a wonderful country.
• Boris Johnson is prepared to destroy everything”. The connotative aspects of the word ‘destroy’ are aggressive and powerful. 
• “Leaders of every nation know Johnson is a vastly diminished premier”. This address is mocking, and will doubtless anger the audience at thinking that they are being laughed at. It also makes a huge and substantial assumption about literally an entire group of people, forcing the audience in to a highly manipulative mode of address

Political cartoon

• The function of political cartoons is to poke fun at politicians. By making politicians look stupid, a humorous mode of address is provided to the target audience. Additionally, by criticising Johnson, the newspaper’s political bias is made clear
• The cartoon suggests that Vladimir Putin, famous not only for aggressively invading invading countries and threatening the UK with out and out nuclear warfare. Putin is represented as controversial, dangerous and mentally unstable. However, in the context of the joke, Johnson is worse. 
• By suggesting that Johnson is ‘worse than Putin’, the mirror is potentially committing defamation of character. However, they get away with this through claiming satire, which often targets public figures. Satire is powerful, as it allows newspapers to make controversial statement
• In doing so, this reconstructs a reality where johnson is a bad and dangerous politician
• The representation of a foreign politician, albeit a very famous one, suggests the target audience at least have some knowledge of international relations  
• The silly mode of address represents Johnson as an idiot, which is an informal mode of address typical of a tabloid newspaper

The interview column 

• The five interviews, purporting to be with ‘average’ members of the public, represent a seemingly wide section of society, including a 53 year old working class black man who’s factory worker father died from covid, a dead older white woman who fostered 87 children, and a middle aged woman who has been bereaved. This diverse range of interviwees constructs a reality where Johnoson is universally hated. The potentially cynical and selective selection of ‘the general public’ here makes a very blunt and straightforward point. This is further anchored through the use of ‘pull quotes’, which states “he needs to go”, “it’s an insult” and continues to lie”.This highly selective sample is clearly critical of the right wing government. This functions as a form of audience manipulation, and uses the representations of decent working class brits to construct a reality.

Keir Starmer editorial/opinion column

• The article takes the form of a letter, using conventions such as “Dear Mirror Readers” and the “Yours” sign off. By taking the form of the letter of a letter, a reality is constructed Starmer Starmer is talking directly to us sincerely, honesty and friendliness. 
• The form of writing letters is outdated and old fashioned. However, in this context, the format of a letter is more personal and intimate. 
• The red background of the pull quote connotes the imminent danger that the country is in, and that this is a serious matter. 
• The lexis of ‘the british people aren’t fools’ flatters the target audience, and provides an inclusive mode of address where the audience are encouraged to accept a reality where johnson is unreliable and even dangerous
• The selection of the image of Starmer’s face suggests that he is attempting to calmly reason with the audience. He is directly addressing the audience in a straightforward address, suggesting he is personally talking. His body language is welcoming