The Times: Media Language

Question 1

Layout

Answer 1

• The page is split between political stories and a plug promoting Times2, the lifestyle supplement of the paper which in this instance features an article on fitness and a personal story about being bitten by a puppy.
• The layout and design of the front page is conventional of this style of broadsheet, quality newspaper, which is generally text led rather than image led. The Times usually has an image, which may be a standalone, a main story, a secondary story (usually in a right-hand column) and a plug. There is also often an ‘In the News’ or ‘News in Brief’ (NiB) section at the bottom of the page with jump lines linked to the main stories inside.

Question 2

Masthead

Answer 2

The masthead is bold and recognisable and effectively signifies the ideology of the paper, suggesting that it reports and reflects upon the issues of the time.

Question 3

Typography of Masthead

Answer 3

• The typography chosen is strong and commands the front page and is placed either side of the crest and logo. - The lion and the unicorn are symbols appearing on heraldic crests, and the slogan Dieu et Mon Droit – God and My Right – dates to King Richard 1st.
• The fact that this has remained unchanged by the newspaper suggests that they intend to reinforce their longevity and traditional values.
• This font and coat of arms are often used in conjunction with its (sometimes employed) slogan as ‘Britain’s most trusted newspaper’ - creating a strong brand of trust, heritage and the ‘moral high ground’ associated with it’s tradition as one of the UK’s oldest and best established newspapers..

Question 4

Headline & Subheading

Answer 4

• The headline ‘Police investigate PM’s four lockdown parties’ is informative rather than dramatic and enigmatic.
• The same is true of the sub-heading ‘Gray criticises leadership and drinking culture’. However, there is subtle, implicit criticism through the selection
  and use of language.
• For example including the number ‘four’ and choosing the specific aspect of the report that comments on a ‘drinking culture’, possibly harnessing a sense of disdain and disappointment.

Question 5

Pull Quotes

Answer 5

• The pull quotes that accompany the central image are direct quotations from Sue Gray’s report, denoted by the large quotation mark (above quote) to emphasise their importance.
• Positioning them in white on the black background gives them prominence and means that they function as an anchor for the image of the Prime Minister.

Question 6

Central Image

Answer 6

• The central image is a close-up photograph of Boris Johnson with an indirect mode of address.
• His code of expression shows some trepidation of what is to come as he goes to the Commons.
• The newspaper has selected this photograph to suggest that he does have questions to answer, whilst not explicitly criticising him.

Question 7

Caption

Answer 7

The caption is long and gives information based on facts, placing the photograph in a context rather than taking an active stance. This is a typical convention of this style of newspaper.

Question 8

‘In the News’

Answer 8

• The ‘In the News’ section at the bottom of the page offers a brief summary of other content in the newspaper including a global aspect.
• The mode of address is serious and formal.

Question 9

Language and mode of address

Answer 9

• The language and mode of address used for the stories on the front page are formal.
• The text is compact and detailed; subheadings are not generally used to split up the stories into sections, suggesting that the readers are comfortable with detailed information and analysis.
• There is a sub-heading ‘The Times Verdict’ with jump lines to the analysis of the story on the inner pages, establishing the newspaper as an opinion leader.

Question 10

Plug

Answer 10

• The plug is constructed differently, using a bright colour palette (of
  tranquil turquoise and energetic yellow) to differentiate between the
  serious and lighter elements of the newspaper’s content.
• Secondary images of a woman nonchalantly lifting small weights and a cute puppy provide a moment of levity and humour to the serious findings of the majority of the front page.

Question 11

Relevant Theory: Levi- Strauss Binary Opposition

Answer 11

• The secondary story about face masks still used on plane flights is an ever-present reminders of the dangers of Covid - by it being positioned next to the lead story about the breaking of Covid rules this sets up a safe / dangerous binary opposite.
• However, the writing of the main copy does hint at a sense of moral right and
  wrong which is embedded within the story. The use of terms such as ‘drinking culture’ seems to position the parties at Downing Street to be infantile and derogatory in line with the hypocritical policies the Prime Minister created as a form of legal mandate
• Also, the stories within the News in Brief section at the bottom of the front page mention both the Taliban and Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war with Ukraine both positioned as very much at odds with Westernised British / American policies and ideologies that are often reinforced as both anti-terrorist and peaceful - here both the British government (in the NiB story only) and Joe Biden are very much positioned as the forces of ‘Good’.

Question 12

Relevant Theory: Roland Barthes Semiotics

Answer 12

• The photograph of Boris Johnson appears to be candid one taken by a onlooking photographer. Johnson, in this close-up shot is dressed in a blue suit with a white tie and a blue shirt - representative of the main colour associated to the Conservative party.
• Boris Johnson’s body language (his facial expression in particular) tends to betray him though - indirect mode of address accompanied by tight lipped mouth would seem to suggest guilt or a degree of embarrassment about the situation he is in.

Question 13

Relevant Theory: Harcup & O’Neil News Values

Answer 13

The Conservative Covid Parliament Xmas Party story addresses multiple news values important for ‘newsworthy’ stories within UK newspapers including:
- Power Elite
- Celebrity (Politicians),
- Surprise,
- Magnitude,
- Relevance,
- Follow Ups,

Question 14

Relevant Theory: Roland Barthes - Hermeneutic Codes

Answer 14

• Various Enigma Codes are created via the scenario that Boris Johnson has allowed (with or without knowledge) a variety of Christmas parties to take place within 10 Downing Street in the middle of a Covid lockdown and amidst his own insistence that every citizen
  of the UK shall adhere to strict lockdown rules.
• From the broad questions about the details of the investigation (which the sub-heading and jump lines promises answer to within the newspaper for the full story) to smaller ones such as the content of the photos that the police are currently examining, the reasons behind the thriving drinking culture within Parliament, and the exact nature of Sue Gray’s criticisms of Johnson’s leadership of the Conservative Party.

Question 15

Relevant Theory: Vladimir Propp Character theory

Answer 15

• The story which is told through the front page article creates a variety of character type juxtapositions in order for the reader to relate to the contents
  of the copy.
• Boris Johnson although not drawn as a full blown antagonist, despite an attempt to neutralise much of the vitriol, is shown as something who at best is not in control of his own political parties members, and at worse is an incompetent buffoon.
• Thus this story clearly identifies him a False Hero - someone who may have been previously portrayed with protagonist qualities, but whose good grace has sadly declined due to their lack of focus and hypocrisy.
• The comments made by Sue Gray would seem to suggest that she is being portrayed with sterner, more altruistic qualities more benefiting the Hero of this tale.