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The Times presents a more informational and informative mode of address. This is typical of broadsheet newspapers, as it allows it to target a more middle class target audience.
However The Mirror presents less information, appealing to a working class target audience. This highly stereotypical mode of address cultivates an ideology in the audience that they are either educated or not educated.
The Times is a right wing broad sheet. It constructs a reality that is positive towards the conservative party. However, it presents Johnson in a broadly negative light. This reflects the views and ideologies of the general public. By agreeing with public perception, the newspaper cultivates a general consensus, encouraging audiences to buy it day after day.
By contrast, the Mirror is completely negative about Johnson, presenting a biased perspective. The headline Zero Shame, anchored with the unflattering image, constructs a wholly negative and straightforward reality.
The informative tone of the Times presents a more subtle and rounded representation of Johnson. Most strikingly, the figures used are different. The mirror suggests 12 parties probed by cops. However, the Times suggests ‘police investigate PMs four lockdown parties’, a very different interpretation of the facts
The Mirror’s headline reads like an ad hominem attack, however the Times presents a more informative, serious, and sophisticated mode of address. The term ‘investigates’ suggests a serious situation’.
The times uses the lexis ‘police’, which has connotations of formality. However, the mirror uses the colloquial ‘cops. This Americanism is an example of a referential code, referring to exciting American police dramas. It suggests the target audience must have their news dramatized in order to enjoy it.
The mirror selects an image of Johnson looking smug and unrepentant. Anchored through the lexis zero shame, it suggests that he doesn’t care. The Times Selects a close up crop of Johnson’s face, emphasising his creased eyes, his mottled skin tone and his messy haircut. Not only does it create a shocking mode of address to challenge fans of Johnson, but also it has the effect of humanising him, and creating a sympathetic mode of address.
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The pull quote/caption on the Times suggests that the fault lies with many people, unlike the savage attack by the Daily Mirror.
The Daily Mirror features two stories, with the headline ‘partygate’ story clearly taking the most space. However the Times features a further 9 cover stories
in addition to the headline, including “I was bitten by a pandemic puppy’, a soft news story that lessens the impact of the headline story.
The Mirror and the Times use different numbers to illustrate their stories. However, the Mirror uses a bigger number than the Times in order to construct a reality where Johnson is more guilty
The selection of images varies wildly. The Mirror is a left wing, working class newspaper. Therefore, the unflattering and smug image of Johnson on the front page is expected. It constructs an ideology that Johnson is a bad person. This is an example of an ad hominem attack.
However, the Times also uses an unflattering image of Johnson. The big close up of Johnson’s face is particularly unflattering, as it focuses on his facial expression. It emphasis his age, with his pronounced wrinkles, and his complexion make him appear sick and ill. He looks visibly tired. The Times is a right wing newspaper. Yet it is crucial of Johnson, for making the party look bad. Additionally, the newspaper reinforces Johnson’s negative perception appealing to an audience who are now more critical of him.
However, The Times constructs a reality, where Johnson DOES feel guilty. Additionally, the anchorage of his tired face may provoke empathy for the conservative target audience.
In The Mirror, a reality is constructed of Johnson being a bad person, as well as prideful and stubborn. This is anchored through the lexis of the caption I’M NOT GOING, in block capitals.
However, the caption over Johnson’s face in the Times constructs a reality where the fault lies with the leadership of the conservative party. Quoting Sue Gray in the inquisition against the conservative party’s lockdown parties, creates a reality where the audience agrees the blame lies elsewhere. Manufacturing consent. This highly edited quote constructs an educated and sophisticated mode of address, that assumes that the target audience are more educated that the audience for the mirror
On the front of the mirror, there are two stories, with Johnson's lack of shame occupying almost the entire front page. However, the Times features a total of ten stories. The secondary story discusses conservative regulations for masks on planes, indicating the government are creating new laws. However, other soft news includes a story about being bitten by a puppy. This wide selection of stories not only increases readership, but also minimises Johnson’s guilt, by comparing his narrative to that of a naughty puppy.
The bottom bar features six snapshots of hard, political and international news. This suggests that the readership for the Times is more open minded and intelligent. However, it also serves to bury the Johnson story.
The headline included in the mirror is brutal and insulting. However, the Times presents a more professional mode of address, appealing to an intelligent and open minded audience