Press and Media Flashcards
(46 cards)
Name 10 quality newspaper
The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Times, Financial Times, The Observer, The i Paper, I Weekend
Name 13 Tabloid newspaper
Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Star, The Mail on Sunday; Daily Express; Sunday Express; The Sun on Sunday; Sunday Mirror; Sunday People; Daily Star Sunday; Morning Star, Eastern Eye
What are Features of quality newspaper ?
- Sometimes knows as “broadsheets”, even though most papers now appear in the smaller “tabloid” format
- Take more interest in the broader picture (and more likely to explore the complexities of an issue
- More space devoted to world politics
- More tentative about the claims they make (e.g., Sources claim…., According to reports from ….)
- Make more effort to at least appear balanced in their reporting
- The language they use is more elevated and less snappy
What are features of tabloid newspaper?
- Sometimes known as lowbrow papers (low brow means less sophisticated and less cultured), “the gutter press” or “the red tops”
- Gossip
- focus on “human interest” (how one individual or family has been affected by a particular policy
- interest in popular culture (actors, pop singers, etc.)
- schadenfreude (whenever the great and good fall from grace, or the enemy is defeated – e.g., „Got the Bastards” headline in the Sun after the capture of two terrorists on the run)
- an “us and them” mentality (with “them” being those in power, with lots of money, or whose life bears no relation to ordinary people’s)
- Value judgement presented as fact (e.g., “Pervert Dentist pulls more than teeth” or “Muslim thugs burn poppies”)
- Scapegoating / looking for someone to blame
- visuals important (e.g., the mock-up photo of Nick Clegg in the Daily Mirror with a long nose like Pinocchio, or Neil Kinnock’s head inside a lightbulb in the edition of the Sun before the 1992 election)
- Wordplay e.g., “Zip Me Up Before You Go Go” – the title of a Sun article about George Michael’s private life; or the headline below which appeared in the Scottish Sun after Celtic’s defeat to Caledonian Thistle: “Super Caley go ballistic Celtic are atrocious”
- freakishness / extremity
- “The world’s tallest dog lives in ……… Southend”
- Such papers do not tend to look beyond Britain, unless events affect the British (e.g., British tourists or soldiers)
- offer simple solutions
- Pithy language / slang (e.g., hubby for husband, romp for sexual encounter, babe for attractive woman)
political left-leaning newspaper
- The Guardian
- The Independent
- Daily Mirror
political right-leaning newspaper
- The Times
- Daily Express
- Daily Mail
- The Sun
- The Daily Star
What would a left-wing paper write on the topic of economy
- Would sympathize with the workers, those on low pay
- Would defend the public sector
- Would criticize austerity measures (cuts)
What would a right-wing paper write on the topic of economy
- Would sympathize with the employers and business interests
- Critical of what they see as an overgenerous welfare system (scroungers are hate figures)
- Very much in favor of privatization, because they see the public sector as wasteful
What would a right-wing paper write on the topic of immigration
- Would focus on the negative impact of immigration (strain on public services
- Multiculturalism has undermined indigenous British culture (may claim “Christmas has been banned” at some schools)
What would a left-wing paper write on the topic of immigration
- Would point out the mistreatment of immigrants (e.g. by the police, traffickers, media, etc.)
- More likely to highlight the benefits of multiculturalism
What would a left-wing paper write on the topic of family?
- More receptive to alternative family structures
What would a right-wing paper write on the topic of family?
- Belief in the sanctity of the nuclear family (and traditional roles for males/females)
- Single mothers are blamed for the breakdown of society (also feckless fathers)
What would a right-wing paper write on the topic of education?
- It should convey British values or a knowledge of Britain
- The three Rs (Reading, writing and arithmetic – only one of which starts actually with an R)
- Should instil a competitive spirit in children (achievement)
- Education should be useful (utilitarian)
What would a left-wing paper write on the topic of law and order?
- More likely to be critical of the police and authority in general
What would a left-wing paper write on the topic of education?
- More experimental (?)
- More about inclusiveness and fairness (equality of opportunity)
What would a right-wing paper write on the topic of law and order?
- The focus is on punishment
- Should be tougher on criminals (prisons are like holiday camps)
- Bring back the “bobby on the beat”
What scandal involved News of the World and other News International papers?
The Phone Hacking Scandal, involving illegal phone hacking and police bribery to obtain stories.
What company owned the News of the World?
News International, a subsidiary of News Corporation, owned by Rupert Murdoch.
What types of individuals were initially believed to be phone hacking targets?
Celebrities, politicians, and members of the British Royal Family.
What shocking victims were later revealed to have been hacked in 2011?
Milly Dowler (murdered schoolgirl), relatives of deceased British soldiers, and victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
What were the consequences of the public outcry following the revelations in July 2011?
Multiple resignations, including Rupert Murdoch and his son James, and the closure of News of the World.
When did the News of the World shut down, and why?
On 10 July 2011, due to advertiser boycotts and intense public backlash.
What major takeover did News Corporation cancel due to the scandal?
Its proposed takeover of British satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
What was the Leveson Inquiry?
A public inquiry announced in July 2011 to investigate phone hacking, police bribery, and the ethics of the UK press.
