Representation and newspapers - the 'partygate' editions
Component one A - Representation question is ALWAYS 30 marks, ALWAYS an hour and ALWAYS comparing a SET TEXT to an UNSEEN EXAMPLE.
Who, what where why when is represented in the set texts?
- EVENT - ‘partygate’. A reference to the ‘Watergate’ scandal. An intertextual reference that will appeal to an older target audience…
- POLITICAL PARTY - The conservative party. Historically the most popular party, and were in power in the year it was published] Feb 2022.
- POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES - both newspapers have different views
- BORIS JOHNSON - the public figure, who has been reconstructed by the producers
- MIDDLE AGED, MIDDLE CLASS WHITE MEN - this group in society are hegemonically and hierarchically more important than others
- BRITAIN - The most important country in the world!
- There is also a symbolic annihilation of black people, women, and working class people…although the Mirror does feature several working class people
Compare how these pages from the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror construct versions of reality. In your answer you must:
- consider the choices media producers make when constructing versions of reality
- consider the similarities and differences in the representations
- make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the representations relate to relevant media contexts. [30]
Newspapers will use media language to construct representations that fit into their own agenda. In doing so, the producers of a newspaper will construct a complex new version of reality to manipulate their target audience to change or cultivate their own ideology. In doing so, newspapers construct a target audience who will consistently buy their newspaper every day, thus minimising risk and maximising profit.
What is the reality constructed in these two newspapers?
- While the mirror is politically against the conservatives and Johnson, Johnson is represented as the most important and powerful person in the country. The main image of the former PM dominates the front page, reinforcing not only his blame in regards to the scandal, but also his immense fame and influence
- The skyline article on the royal family (tears for the king) also reinforce a patriotic mode of address, and suggests a complex mix of ideologies that are likely to appeal to a working class target audience. By being positioned next to the masthead, the royal family are elevated to the same importance as the newspaper itself, and suggests their values are the same. The sense of patriotism is anchored through the lexis of the slogan, ‘The heart of Britain, suggesting the mirror is at the centre of what it means to be British. Therefore, a manipulative reality is constructed where if the target audience do not buy the mirror, they will be less patriotic and less British
- The double page splash image of a busy surgery represents a reality where British medical workers are hardworking and essential . Yet a smaller secondary image of Boris Johnson apparently smirking with a flute of champagne constructs a reality where the prime minister has no respect and compassion for the hard work of the British people. This is a classic example of bias through selections, where a misleading image of Johnson constructs a reality where he is contemptuous of the NHS and the British people. This is highly likely to cultivate a shared ideological perspective in the target audience.
- Stereotypes:
- Evil manipulative politicians
- Hardworking and resourceful NHS workers
- Evil, manipulative dictator Putin… better than johnson!
- ‘The general public’... middle aged and diverse, just like the target audience
- The younger, more casual politician. Kier Starmer doesn’t wear a tie, making him more relatable to the target audience
Daily mail - unseen example
- A patriotic reality is constructed through the MES of flags, anchored through the long shot of a diverse crowd, and finally the anchorage of the lexis of the headline, seemingly directly addressing the audience as well as the soldiers who sacrificed themselves in WWII. A complex reconstruction of Britain is made, cultivating a sense of pride and patriotism
- A professionally shot yet canted angle portrait of the royal family positions the patriotic target audience to realise that the royal family are also human, reinforcing the sense of togetherness. This humorous mode of address constructs an unlikely reality where the target audience and the royal family are equal.
- By reinforcing royalist and hierarchical ideologies, the newspaper reinforces right wing ideologies about power that cannot be challenged. Karl Marx argued that the ruling class use their power to manipulate the ideologies of the working class. By reinforcing straightforward ideologies, that both the Royal family and British ideologies are the most important things in the world, a sense of control and manipulation is constructed