Aseessment 1B news - Evaluation

Daily Mail cover evaluation

1) What was the task you were given and who was your target audience?

The task we were given was to create a front page for a daily mail newspaper based on Harry and Meghan's split due to her being in an affair as revealed by her friend Miss Indiana Savannah. The target audience was demographic c2, d and e and an older age group due to the fact it was a front page for the print newspaper.

2) What research did you undertake and what did you find were some of the typical conventions of a Daily Mail front cover - layout, types of stories, fonts

I researched information about Harry and Meghan's relationship to get some background info and also researched images of recent daily mail front pages. I found that typically daily mail only use big bold headlines and no images for their main headlines and then include an advert as a banner along the top and another story along the side of the main headline, which has a small article beneath summarizing the story.

3) Which Daily Mail cover did you use as your main source? Insert. What are your observations from this source?

My observations from this source is that the offer on the advert is almost the same size as the main headline text which draws the reader in as well as the headline which is always exaggerated to generate shock value, then the side headline uses a dark background to contrast the main headline to make it stand out. The front page also uses bullet points above the main headline to summarize the story in a basic way for the reader to easily understand when passing by.

4) Which areas did you find most challenging?

I found making the headlines the most challenging as I had to find a similar font and get the text to the right size and reduce the space between the characters and paragraphing lines. Another challenging area was resizing the images to not appear stretched out and also match the overall layout of a typical daily mail front page.

5) What was you initial feedback? What did others say about your production? How successful was do you think it is?

I think my attempt was fairly successful and others thought that my cover was pretty similar to the cover I had based it upon, however the font style I had used compared to the daily mail's is slightly noticeably different and I used different adverts to match the overall theme of the main headline I was using, which therefore changed the colour scheme of my front page compared to the original.

6) Identify what went well and with hindsight what you do to improve/do differently.

I think creating and wording my headlines and articles went well as I did the appropriate research, however I would improve the front that I used and try to reduce the amount of white space on my front page as it is noticeably different compared to the original paper.

7) In the exam you will be analysing newspaper front covers. In producing this cover, are there any areas that you hadn't noticed before? What have you learn't from completing this task?

I hadn't noticed at the bottom of articles and adverts that there were phrases like 'see page five' which redirect you to another page to read the full story, as the daily mail cleverly selects dramatic snippets from the articles to put on front covers to draw the reader in, as well as carefully tailoring their adverts to match the headline on the newspaper and therefore I tried to do this on my front page.

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.

Online language news

(The guardian section was taken from a telegraph newspaper and is labelled incorrectly).

Different perspectives

Bias In Newspaper

Bias through choice of photos, captions and camera angles. Does the person look empowered? Weak?

This article by the sun shows Ed Miliband a former labour MP eating a sandwich, which is an unflattering photo making him look comical, which is biased as it presents the labour MP negatively in a newspaper that has a right wing political stance.

Bias through placement - is it on the front page, or hidden on page 15? How long/thorough is the article?

The article in the sun shows the headline which includes an image of a scar on a young boy which is supposedly the mark of the 'devil'. This is an example of biased placement as the story seems pointless and at the time the newspaper was published there was a lot more stories that were news worthy compared to this story which seems irrelevant and a built of a conspiracy.

Bias through word choice and tone (is it sympathetic or critical?)

This article shows bias through word choice in the headline as it emphasizes a critical tone as it negatively presents Reid as it makes him out to be an idiot.

Bias through headlines - what is the headline article, how is the article pitched through the headline?

This article has a clear example of headline bias and also shapes the article around it negatively as well to support the headline. The image used shows a sad facial expression on Obama as he looks disappointed with himself, suggesting with the headline that he has failed the country.

Bias through source control - who have they interviewed/asked for information?

In newspapers sometimes the paper will use unreliable and biased sources in their article content to support their political opinion for example in more left wing newspapers they will use statements from labour politicians on current political affairs concerning the conservative government.

Bias through use of names and titles - nicknames, respectful terms etc.

In this article by the sun they have used Jeremy Corbins surname as a disrespectful nickname to mock him and his government in the run up to the election. This headline uses the biased nickname because it is a right wing newspaper that promotes conservatism.

Bias through selection or omission - which articles included or left out?

A recent article in the telegraph newspaper is a clear example of bias through selection as it is a royalist newspaper when the scandal about the queen keeping her wealth in an offshore account was discovered they chose to write a small article about it and place it on the side of the newspaper where it might go missed or be covered by the hands of reader when holding the newspaper open. 

Bias through statistics and crowd counts - how statistics are manipulated to make a point?

In many newspapers when using statistics and crowd counting the value used can often be biased based on the police officer's opinion who "counted" the crowd. If the person is in favour of the purpose they will possibly make the value larger or if they oppose the crowds purpose than they may make it significantly smaller.

Advantages and disadvanatges of online media

Advantages

• Free
• More current, quicker updates
• Easy to access, more navigable
• More interactive, more audience participation (participatory media e.g. comments)
• More accessible to those who live in remote communities or are disabled.
• Archive facility.

 

Disadvantages

• Adverts
• Some content isn't free
• Less detailed
• Subject to change
• Relies on wifi connection
• Overload of news - flooded
• costs money, have to pay for broadband
• fake news (everyone used to reading news online, so believe what they read)
• Comments

News Article Analysis

Look at this news story how has it been constructed? Consider narrative, headline, the intro, focus.

Heading

In the article the news story has been constructed to draw the reader in through the use of the headline which uses news values such as negativity to play on moral panic from words like 'fear', as well as 'ashes' which suggests death. Furthermore the value of unexpectedness from the mentioning of the Moor, assuming the reader recognizes the significance of the Moor, instantly teases and draws in the reader from shock value as the serial killer is to be potentially buried with his victims, furthermore the use of elite persons from mentioning 'Brady' himself a fairly well known serial killer who killed children which also adds the value of personalisation as the audience feel disgust and hatred towards this man and emotional for the children and their families.

Intro

The intro uses the news value of ambiguity as it sums up the entire story in a non confusing way that is easy for the reader to understand, furthermore the use of mentioning serial killer and victims instantly grabs the readers attention as it generates drama and negativity which will spark their interest and want to know more especially as it appears Brady requested to be buried with his victims as a final sick request, which will create an emotional response for the reader also encouraging them to read on.

Focus

The main focus of the story continues to interest the reader as it adds a personal touch by adding quotes from one of the victims family member which will also add emotion and personalisation to the article, and the use of keeping Brady the protagonist of the article adds drama as he just died and there is controversy over what to do about his ashes.

Narrative & Structure

The narrative and structure keeps the readers interest and encourages them to read on by slightly variating the structure by adding quotes and looking from different viewpoints such as the family members of the victim to the Corona and funeral service. Furthermore the narrative also adds some more drama by including a brief 'what if' situation where it mentions about Brady possibly still being buried in the Moor with his victims. It also uses narrative by keeping the article predominantly ambiguous so the reader can understand making it easier for them to get their own opinion of the article and situation before them so they find it more interesting and have more of an emotional response to the article.

News Values - Galtung and Ruge

 

• In 1965 some media researchers analysed news stories to find out what story came on top on news agenda worldwide.
• Journalist and news editors use experience as well as news values to decide what comes on top.
• There are 8 news values:

Threshold - bigger the impact and research of the story.

Unexpectedness - generates shock value, not expected like an election.

Negativity - bad news stories sell, plays on moral panic.

Elite persons / places - well known, famous

Unambiguous - no confusion, easy going and straightforward unlike the Iraq conflict.

Personalisation - relatable / personal feel and empathise e.g. children at Grenfell.

Proximity - how close it is.

Continuity / currency -  Ongoing story that is continued and updated.



Different newspapers select and have different priorities (news values) on where they place their stories.

 

1. Why does it read the way it does, and what is the intended meaning or ideas being communicated?

Different news stories read in ways that strategically use the news values in order to grab the readers attention and persuade them to buy the paper, some papers like tabloids like to use shock value generated from the news values of unexpectedness and using elite persons/places to fit in with the lifestyle theme that they use for example the sun. Other news values like negativity and threshold make news stories have a bigger impact on the reader as negativity creates the idea of a moral panic and threshold creates a bigger reach for the story. Furthermore newspapers also use the news value of unambiguity to make the story more straightforward for the reader to understand which is likely to make the newspaper easier to read and likely to increase sales, especially for tabloids that favour this value for example the sun that uses language a nine year old can understand. other news values like personalisation and proximity help to make the story more personal and make the audience feel more emotional and help the news firms get more sales, a value that works closely with personalisation is proximity as the closer the story is to that area where it is sold the more it will interest the reader. Lastly the news value of continuity is useful for newspapers to use when there is no breaking news or top stories they can use on the headlines and so instead use an ongoing story which will still be likely to interest the audience.