the mirror

Question 1

paper context

Answer 1

• british daily national tabloid newspaper
• established in 1903
• targets C2DE audience
• traditional left wing stance

Question 2

main competitor

Answer 2

THE SUN
- same socio-economic demographic but with traditional right-wing stance

Question 3

slogan

Answer 3

‘The Heart of Britain
suggests that the paper stands up for the ordinary person, and a key part of the UK

Question 4

set edition

Answer 4

Feb 1st 2022 - dealing with partygate

Question 5

tabloid paper conventions

Answer 5

• large images and small amounts of copy
• big bold headlines
• sans serif fony
• sensationalist, colloquial language
• ‘red top’ masthead

Question 6

boris johnson image

Answer 6

• large image shown suggests he’s powerful, important
• suit and tie represent high status, wealth
• looks a bit disheveled connoting unprofessional
• facial expression - smirk - relates to being ‘shameless’
• meaning is anchored by headline ‘ZERO SHAME’

Question 7

headline

Answer 7

• use of numbers/ facts make article seem persuasive, suggest enormity of breaking rules
• elipsis communicates the Mirror’s opnion that he should’ve apologised

Question 8

binary oppositions

Answer 8

• ## lanuage (300 photos of party, whilst rest of nation was diligently sticking to rules) between Boris and the British public, creating binary oppositions to paint him as a villain

Question 9

language to describe Boris

Answer 9

‘shameless’ ‘brashly’
- negative words - create arrogant and uncanny representation
- repetition of word ‘shame’ connotes wrongdoing

Question 10

intertextual reference

Answer 10

partygate - watergate scandal
where US pres NIxon was investigated for corruption and crimes
- reference represents Boris as being corrupt and untrustworthy

Question 11

double page spread

Answer 11

• images of Boris drinking champagne juxtaposed with main image of nhs workers operating with gear on
• binary opposition
• represents him as lazy, enjoying luxuries as opposed to saving lives

Question 12

open letter written by Keir Starmer

Answer 12

• leader of Labour party
• explains bias against JOHNSON and conservatives
• uses inclusive language ‘dear mirror readers’ ‘we’
• represents him as a man of the people
• use of flattery towards the British public as being intelligent, reflecting Starmer’s desire to gain voter support

Question 13

opinion pieces in double page spread

Answer 13

• from everyday members of the public, connote Johnsons unpopularity
• makes negative representations of Boris feel more trustworthy
• diverse, working class backgrounds - make them feel heard

Question 14

hesmondhalgh

Answer 14

Reach PLC - one of UK’s largest newspaper publishers, has become a horizontally integrated company with a wide range of titles to maximise audiences
- company has embraced digital expansion, now offers digital marketing as well as digital classifieds - generate more income
- also introduced a subscription of £6.99 for tablet edition of paper, with two free months

Question 15

gerbner cultivation theory

Answer 15

• audience exposure to repeated patterns of representation (eg Brexit, the government) influence views
• newspapers function as opinion leaders, mediate news for readers with their political allegiance in mind
• the messages need to resonate with an established belief of audience - eg government being corrupt with working class audience

Question 16

curran and seaton

Answer 16

• Reach PLC has maintained position in UK market despite falling sales - had to diversify into regional news to maintain power
• diverse patterns of ownership has allowed them to create more adventurous products

Question 17

livingstone and lunt regulation

Answer 17

• IPSO and anti Levesan - self regualted
• conflict between protecting audience from harmful material and ensuring press freedom