Front Pages Representation

• Who is being represented in this image?

A lower class black teenager.

• Are you being given the stereotypical or counter typical image of the person/group. Describe the image.

In the image we are being presented the stereotypical image of the person, as they are being presented as a thug, which we can deduce from the fact that the youth is wearing a tracksuit which is a typical connotation of a 'chav', which was a term that had started to develop around 2010. Furthermore the balaclava that covers the youths face as well as the gloves also suggests this and creates fear for the audience and represents lower class, black teenagers negatively. The stereotype is also echoed in the background as there is a car on fire and blood on the road emphasizing death and destruction, emphasizing danger to the audience which also presents the person stereotypically as a thug.

• How is the representation being constructed by the media language? (camera angles, choice of images, colour, size and mise en scene etc.)

The body language and camera angle of the person suggests as it looks as if he is casually walking away from the scene. However the camera angle creates a sense of danger as its angled slightly below the figure so that they are looking down creating a sense of power, which is threatening. Furthermore the enhancement of colour for example of the flames and the blood also echoes the idea of danger and destruction and death that also scares the reader as it presents the person stereotypically as a violent character in society such as a thug. Also props like the balaclava and gloves hide the figures identity which also fears the reader and creates a sense of the unknown as he walks away from the scene with his head down, allowing the representation to present the person negatively and as a threat to society.

• How is the representation being constructed by the text (word choices, size of text and tone).

The representation is negatively constructed by the media language as the sun has chosen to use language such as "anarchy" in bold as the headline, which has a dramatic effect as they use a one word headline, this creates the idea of the representation being presented stereotypically and as a object of mass destruction, which worries the audience and has an effect of moral panic. The other headline "3rd day of mindless violence" also emphasizes the lower class nature that is connoted as "chav" and thugs as the sun use the word "mindless" which indicates low intelligence, with "violence" which continues to repeat the idea of them being reckless criminals who are careless.

• Does this representation fit the with the institutional codes and conventions? Explain your answer - think about institution, audience, tabloids/broadsheet.

This representation fits with the codes and conventions as it represents several aspects of DR CAGES, such as ethnicity, age and class, however does represent them stereotypically in a negative way, and fits the codes and conventions of a typical tabloid newspaper as big headlines of negative language is used to dramatize and exaggerate, alongside the image that covers the entire front page that includes fire and blood to emphasize danger and death.

• Who is being represented in this image?

British male Muslims.

• Are you being given the stereotypical or counter typical representation?

In this newspaper headline the audience is being displayed the stereotypical representation of Muslims, as in recent years many terror attacks from groups like Jihadis and isis as well as others have started to become a major topic in the media and in foreign affairs, which has had an effect on moral panic therefore cultivating a negative stereotype for Muslims.

• How is the representation being constructed by media language?

the representation is negatively presented by media language due to the use of images of a male Muslim wearing the stereotypical head dress of what the Taliban and Jihadis are usually seen wearing in the news on their attacks in order to cover their identity which is threatening for the audience creating a fearful effect. Language also presents Muslims negatively as the image uses dark colours which also create a dark tone for the newspaper also emphasizing the idea of danger and death especially alongside the use of props such as weapons which the "Muslim" man is seen holding which also displays violence.

• How is the representation being constructed  by media text?

The representation is being negatively constructed by media text as the headline uses a stat that suggests that the majority of Muslims support Jihadis and extremist groups that have caused a lot of upset and affected people on a personal level, which immediately has an effect on the reader due to all the terrorist events that have recently occurred. Furthermore using this as the main headline suggests that this is key information and a top story creating a sense of urgency making the audience feel danger towards Muslims alongside the statistic which will make the audience generalise all Muslims as violent people. Furthermore the technique of juxtaposition as 'sympathy' and 'Jihadis' are placed near each other also generates shock value for the audience because of the pain terrorists have caused recently like the crisis of 9/11 and the London tube bombings as well as many others, this has an effect of moral panic and makes the audience loose trust towards Muslims as their religion is horrifically stereotyped when in fact their religion is peaceful.

• Does this representation fit with the institutional codes and conventions?

This representation fits with the codes and conventions of tabloid newspapers as it uses a big bold simply phrased headline to appeal to a mass audience using the values of negativity and threshold as well as elite persons as this group is well known for negative reasons. These values help the sun fit generate shock value which is a typical feature of tabloid newspapers followed by the use of DR Cages to present the stereotype by using ethnicity and religion.