The Daily Mirror (L,R,I&A) Flashcards
When did the Daily Mirror first report this story?
November 2021
What is the newspaper scandal known as?
‘Partygate’ in reference to he ‘watergate’ scandal in the US in the 1970s which resulted in the resignation of President Nixon
References the fact that Boris is corrupt and untrustworthy.
What does the Daily Mirror present itself as?
The voice of the British people (they align themselves by using the personal pronoun ‘us’)
(Daily Mirror) Plug
The advertising feature on the front of the paper is of the Platinum Jubilee which reinforces the cultural heritage of the UK.
The queen is wearing fancy clothing and jewellery which would be quite expensive (upper class) which may be an escapist fantasy for a lot of readers (working-class readership)
The use of the old photo suggests the length of her reign - representing the monarchy as being a part of tradition.
What type of newspaper is The Daily Mirror?
Tabloid
What party does The Daily Mirror support?
Labour
What does The Daily Mirror’s slogan suggest?
“The Heart of Britain”
It suggests that the newspaper stands up for the ordinary person and is a key part of cultural life in the UK.
Significance of The Daily Mirror headline
“ZERO SHAME”
It is brief and dramatic (which is typical of the paper’s style)
(Daily Mirror) Main image FP
The image is large which suggests that he is important and powerful - especially to this story.
Johnson is wearing a suit and tie which we typically associate as being wealthy and high status - but looks disheveled (connoting that he is lazy and unprofessional)
Johnson appears unconcerned/unapologetic (smirk). Along with the caption “I’m not going” suggests his failure to take responsibility for what has happened.
(Daily Mirror) Language
The language is emotive and reflects the values/attitudes of the newspaper and their political allegiance as they refer to Johnson as “shameless” which also creates a negative representation of BJ.
“Stain” - negative connotations, Conservative Party is dirty and they have ruined the country not just for a short time either
(Daily Mirror) Mode of address
It is direct and uses colloquialisms such as ‘cops’ and ‘lockdown bashes’ to engage with the target readership
(Daily Mirror) Busy DP
It incorporates a range of different features which is unusual for a newspaper to have all of these on the same page - it suggests the story’s importance.
(Daily Mirror) Main image on DP
They are emotive and dramatic. They have juxtaposed te scene from the hospital ward to one with the prime minister smirking with a glass of wine.
Represents BJ as being lazy, enjoying luxuries as opposed to saving lives.
(The Daily Mirror) Levi-Strauss’ structuralism theory - conform or challenge?
It conforms!
There is a binary opposition between the government and ‘the people’ which feeds into the ‘us vs them’ ideology of the newspaper.
Discusses how BJ was out partying “while the rest of the nation was diligently sticking to the rules” - helping the audience feel like they were doing the right thing
Pitting BJ against the rest of Britain
“Compare Hannah’s quiet dignity with his lying bombast”
- real member of the public
- see her as good vs Boris as villain
(Daily Mirror) Direct quotations on DP
They represent ordinary people’s stories (from diverse and W/C backgrounds) and makes it about the experiences of individuals rather than a complicated political story. This builds emotional engagement.
-will appeal to DM readers as they are in similar situations
Connotes that BJ is unpopular with a lot of people and makes the representations of him feel more accurate and untrustworthy.
(The Daily Mirror) Hall’s representation theory - conform or challenge?
The paper is using stereotypical representations of the prime minister to convey a left-wing agenda and raise awareness of the equalities in society.
Also, the representation is constructed through signs e.g. dress codes are used to convey messages about social standing.
(The Daily Mirror) Curran and Seaton’s power and industries theory - conform or challenge?
It conforms!
The newspaper industry is dominated by a small number of powerful companies. The Daily Mirror has concentrated ownership meaning they receive a narrow range of viewpoints.
(The Daily Mirror) Hesmondhalgh’s cultural industries theory - conform or challenge?
It conforms!
Reach plc is one of the largest newspaper publishes and has become horizontally integrated with a number of different titles in order to maximise audiences and minimise risk.
What is The Daily Mirror’s target audience?
C2DE, over 35, mostly male and working class Labour supporters
How does The Daily Mirror target their audience?
- how they represent particular stories to resonate with likeminded readers (left-wing)
- using digital platforms (has its own website which has 32 million monthly readers) which allows to appeal to younger audiences
(The Daily Mirror) Gerbner’s cultivation theory - conform or challenge?
The repeated exposure of certain things (e.g. the government) may influence the audience’s own views and opinions as newspapers function as opinion leaders. However, this depends on what the audience already believes.
(Newspapers) Hall’s reception theory
Left wing audiences are more likely to take a negotiated reading of the Daily Mirror and an oppositional reading to The Times.
It depends on things such as class, income, political views, education etc.
(The Daily Mirror) Shirky’s end of audience theory - conform or challenge?
It conforms!
Audiences can no longer be passive due to the new age of technology. The Mirror does offer some opportunities for ‘citizen journalism’ (e.g. the “What’s Your Story?” section of their website)
Consumers can also actively engage and ‘speak back’ to the news media. The Daily Mirror website offers opportunities for readers to comment on stories and features, thus giving them a voice as part of the newspaper’s community.
When was the Daily Mirror first published and what was it published as?
1903 as a newspaper for women, ‘to act as a mirror on feminine life’
