Revision Lesson - Newspapers continued

• binary opposition is constructed in the double page spread between the frantic mise-en-scene of the ICU and Johnson's smug look at the camera while clutching a glass of champagne in open defiance of his own rules
• while the image was clearly taken at an official event, the anchorage of the article confirms the left wing ideology of the newspaper
• the caption is highly leading and further reinforces the ideology of the newspaper, blatantly constructing a reality where Johnson is an unreliable rule breaker
• finally the anchorage of the placement of the editorial column constructs a reality where the composition of the page seems to show Johnson staring smugly at the allegations against him
• additionally through the intertextual references to action films, most notably confirmed through the countdown lexis, as well as the villainous mise-en-scene of Johnson clutching the glass, a narrative is constructed where Johnson is the antagonist of the likes of the working class target
• this broadly Marxist ideology is typical of a working class newspaper, and helps the working class audience to construct their own identity
• both images also produce a voyeuristic mode of address, positioning the audience in an investigative and active mode of address
• by piercing together the numerous headlines, copy and pull quotes, along with the highly leading images, the audience is encouraged to feel like they are making their own mind up
• however, the tabloid newspaper utilises a highly biased and even manipulative mode of address to encourage the working class, left wing audience to both oppose the Tories and ultimately vote Labour
• the 'personal letter', actually an editiorual guest column from leader of he opposition Kier Starmer, provides a personal mode of address and forms a diametric opposition between friendly Starmer and the cold, distant, calculating Johnson

Daily Mirror fact file

• left wing tabloid newspaper
• circulation of 240,000 - has recently collapsed
• print newspaper doing terribly due to competition from digitally convergent platforms
• founded 120 years ago
• website is not paywalled but has many adverts
• owned by Reach PLC, a horizontally integrated organisation specialising in UK newspapers, particularly local news
• price of £1.40, higher than competitors such as the Sun
• originally launched as a newspaper for women
• scandals with Piers Morgan, dodgy Nazi references and the phone hacking scandal
• regulated voluntarily by IPSO
• originally middle class audiences
• the only mainstream left wing tabloid in the UK

Explain how media producers attract audiences. Refer to a print edition of The Times to support your answer (12 marks)

Headline story 'strike costs will force unions in to climbdown' takes a union perspective, which reinforces the right wing ideology of the newspaper, and allows it to target its audience. Audiences are able to help pick and mix their identity, and by allying themselves against disruptive unions helps the audiences to feel a sense of unity with one another.

The formal lexis of The Times is seen throughout the print edition. For example, 'ministers resist covid curbs' uses broadly technical language to discuss a complicated international news story.

The intrusive selection of an image of pro-cannabis protester cultivates the ideological value that recreational use of cannabis is bad. This belief will resonate with conservative audiences, and clearly reflects Murdoch's conservative and anti-drug agenda.

A broadsheet works through taking a far more sophisticated mode of address, using sophisticated lexis, and resisting colloquialisms. The font of the masthead is an excellent example, with its subtly serif bold capital typography, anchored through the use of its formal and even conversive crest, which reflects the long established values of the newspaper. The brand identity of The Times is it's most important selling point, and audiences will buy it every day as it consistently meets their expectations and cultivates their ideological worldview.

The cover price of £2 for subscribers clearly encourages to apparently save money which appeals to conservative values. It also encourages audiences to financially support The Times, and therefore apparently takes ownership of it