The Times (1 February 2022) PDF

A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet The Times (1 February 2022) Image from Tomorrows Papers / tomorrowspapers.com / Public Domain 1  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet A Level Component 1: Media...

A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet The Times (1 February 2022) Image from Tomorrows Papers / tomorrowspapers.com / Public Domain 1  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet A Level Component 1: Media COMPONENT 1: SECTION A products, industries and audiences Starting points: Media language, Focus areas: representation and contexts Media language Political context Representation This edition of the newspaper deals with the Media industries scandal surrounding allegations regarding parties Audiences and social gatherings held by the Conservative Media contexts Party at a time when its leaders had enforced strict restrictions on the people of England that THE PRODUCT prohibited such gatherings. The Times newspaper is a British national The story was first reported in November 2021 ‘quality’ newspaper, first published in 1785. and alleged that during the lockdown Christmas These newspapers can also be referred to as of 2020, parties had been held at Downing ‘broadsheets’, derived from their original larger Street, some of which had been attended by the size. The Times has been published by Times Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This led to an Newspapers since 1981, a subsidiary of News inquiry being undertaken by senior civil servant UK which is wholly owned by News Corp, Sue Gray, the results of which were published in Rupert Murdoch’s company. The company also January 2022. publishes the Sunday Times, the Sun, the Sun on Sunday and until recently, the News of The On the date this edition was published, Boris World. Johnson was due to give a statement to the Commons about what had happened. It was Politically, The Times adopts a more neutral reported in the newspaper that Sue Gray had position compared to the explicit political revealed that the Metropolitan Police were allegiance of the tabloid press. However, it does investigating several possible breaches of have a right-wing allegiance and supports the lockdown by No 10 and Boris Johnson had Conservative party at key times, such as when refused calls for his resignation. there is a general election. The Times is famous for having a range of journalists with varied Social and cultural contexts political viewpoints which allows the newspaper All newspapers, including The Times, reflect to offer a more neutral and balanced political the social and cultural contexts of the time in stance on some issues. which they were produced. The Times largely The newspaper describes itself as the following: targets a ABC1 demographic with cultural ‘A faithful recorder of the times for more capital and an interest in news and analysis in than 200 years. It is authoritative, credible, detail. This demographic is targeted through the responsible, trusted and a part of the nation’s news values of the paper, the selection of stories cultural heritage. A premium British brand, and how particular social groups and issues are recognised the world over.’(www.news.co.uk) represented. The set edition was published on February The choice to focus on this particular story also 1st, 2022 and focuses on the report into the reinforces a common theme for this newspaper investigation into parties held at Downing – to accurately present the news and its effect Street while the country was under lockdown on society. Whilst it is not explicitly critical of restrictions. the government on this front page, this story cut across political divides with many members of the Conservative party as well as Labour shocked by the revelations. 2  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet The newspaper’s plug also reflects a cultural mark to emphasise their importance. Positioning context with a lifestyle focus intended to them in white on the black background gives broaden the appeal of the newspaper. them prominence and means that they function as an anchor for the image of the Prime Minister. Front page: Consider the different ways in which the The central image is a close-up photograph of paradigmatic choices of media language including Boris Johnson with an indirect mode of address. visual codes, written language and mode of address His code of expression shows some trepidation communicate meanings on this front page: of what is to come as he goes to the Commons. The newspaper has selected this photograph to The page is split between political stories and a suggest that he does have questions to answer, plug promoting Times2, the lifestyle supplement whilst not explicitly criticising him. of the paper which in this instance features an article on fitness and a personal story about The caption is long and gives information based being bitten by a puppy. on facts, placing the photograph in a context rather than taking an active stance. This is a The layout and design of the front page is typical convention of this style of newspaper. conventional of this style of broadsheet, quality newspaper, which is generally text led rather The ‘In the News’ section at the bottom of the than image led. The Times usually has an image, page offers a brief summary of other content in which may be a standalone, a main story, a the newspaper including a global aspect. The secondary story (usually in a right-hand column) mode of address is serious and formal. and a plug. There is also often an ‘In the News’ The language and mode of address used for section at the bottom of the page with jump the stories on the front page are formal. The lines linked to the main inside stories. text is compact and detailed; subheadings The masthead is bold and recognisable and are not generally used to split up the stories effectively signifies the ideology of the paper, into sections, suggesting that the readers are suggesting that it reports and reflects upon the comfortable with detailed information and issues of the time. The typography chosen is analysis. There is a sub-heading ‘The Times strong and commands the front page and is Verdict’ with jump lines to the analysis of placed either side of the crest and logo. The the story on the inner pages, establishing the lion and the unicorn are symbols appearing on newspaper as an opinion leader. heraldic crests, and the slogan Dieu et Mon Droit The plug is constructed differently, using a – God and My Right – dates to King Richard 1st. bright colour palette to differentiate between the The fact that this has remained unchanged by the serious and lighter elements of the newspaper’s newspaper suggests that they intend to reinforce content. their longevity and traditional values. Theoretical perspectives: structuralism – The headline ‘Police investigate PM’s four Levi-Strauss lockdown parties’ is informative rather than dramatic and enigmatic. The same is true of Newspapers, like other media products, create the sub-heading ‘Gray criticises leadership and meaning through the way in which they are drinking culture’. However, there is subtle, structured. Their use of typical codes and implicit criticism through the selection and use conventions fulfil audience expectations and of language, for example including the number appeal to loyal readers. However, the way in ‘four’ and choosing the specific aspect of the which the conventions are employed across report that comments on a ‘drinking culture’. newspapers will communicate different meanings; for example, the use of headlines, Similarly, the pull quotes that accompany the language and mode of address differs between central image are direct quotations from Sue popular and quality newspapers. Gray’s report, denoted by the large quotation 3  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet Meaning is dependent on pairs of oppositions; Similarly, the construction and choice of the way these oppositions are used and resolved language in the headlines and subheadings reflects the ideology of the newspaper. represent the event and the PM in a negative way – ‘PM’s four lockdown parties’ implies The Times demonstrates less explicit political Boris Johnson’s involvement and the use of allegiance compared to a tabloid publication and ‘four’ points out the seriousness of the event. therefore may offer more than one viewpoint The use of the phrase ‘drinking culture’ also on an issue. The resolution of oppositions may constructs a negative representation of the event. only be evident and more explicit in something such as an editorial or an opinion piece, where This construction of the representation of the the political allegiance of the paper may be more event does not reflect the newspaper’s usual obvious. political allegiance, which would be to support the government. It may be that the newspaper Starting points: representation feels responsible as an opinion leader to reflect the reactions of many people with differing Consider how representations are constructed through a process of selection political views to the transgresses of the and combination. government. Newspapers have access to the same stories daily The construction of the representation of the but will choose how to represent events and issues event positions the audience to consider the in a way that reflects the values, attitudes and facts about the event, which are presented in beliefs of the paper and their readers. The way in an informative way, and to make their decision which the event / issue / social group is represented about it. Within the readership of The Times, will affect the audience response. Newspapers are although it is a right-wing publication, there will opinion leaders and will influence how audiences be those who are shocked by the revelations of may respond to the issue/event. Consider how issues, the breaking of lockdown restrictions by those in events and social groups are represented in the positions of power and then there will be those newspaper front page: who remain supportive of the government. The sub-heading ‘The Times verdict. Full analysis Front page: and comment inside’ suggests that these binary The construction of the representation of the oppositions may be resolved by the newspaper’s event and the key player on the front page opinion contained in these inner pages. is dominated by the central image of Boris Theoretical perspectives: representation – Johnson, anchored by a headline, sub-headings Stuart Hall and pull quotes. The front page of The Times produces The choice of the image of Boris Johnson meaning through the language used, by using focuses on his code of expression of trepidation recognisable signs that will be interpreted by the on his way to the Commons, anchored by audience, for example, headlines, image choices, the caption and the large quote from Sue language, and mode of address. Gray’s report. Unlike a tabloid newspaper, the representation of the event and Boris These choices contribute to the construction of Johnson’s role in it is more implicit. However, the event and encode meanings that are to be the selection and combination of images decoded by the audience. and language constructs a subtly negative representation. The choice of pull quotes from the report, placed next to the image of the PM, implicitly directs blame at his behaviour: ‘There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number 10 …’. The inclusion of the ellipsis creates an enigma suggesting that there is more to be seen in the report. 4  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet COMPONENT 1 SECTION B: Media match the reading patterns of their audience more industries and audiences effectively. In 2020, News UK launched Times Radio in an attempt to increase the take-up of digital For this section you will be using the issue subscriptions for the newspaper. However, The of The Times that you have studied in class. Times continues to have a higher reach in print sales This will be different from the set pages than online studied for Section A. The Times is part of a regulatory framework known Starting points: Media industry as the Independent Press Standards Organisation Industry context (IPSO) – an independent body which is not backed by the government and is fully funded by The significance of patterns of ownership and control the industry itself. This is a regulatory body that maintains press standards but is anti-Leveson in its The Times was first published in 1785 and is part of approach. The Times newspaper group which is a subsidiary of Theoretical approaches: Power and media News UK. News UK is a British-based, American- industries – Curran and Seaton owned newspaper publisher, and a subsidiary of the American mass media conglomerate News The newspaper industry is dominated by a small Corp. News Corp is a newly formed company that number of powerful companies. The Times is part of concentrates on newspapers and publishing. The a horizontally and vertically integrated company company was formed following a split from News and subsequently a large conglomerate. Being part Corporation, a powerful conglomerate with interests of a huge press organisation could limit or inhibit in film and broadcasting in addition to newspapers creativity and journalists’ freedom. Rupert Murdoch and publishing. The company also produces The is often accused of controlling his newspaper content Sun newspaper and previously the News of the and editorial teams which would support this point. World, which ceased production following the However, it could also be suggested that by having a phone hacking scandal of 2011.The company has more diverse pattern of ownership, a more pluralistic demonstrated a predominantly right-wing political approach could create conditions for more varied allegiance with The Sun newspaper, backing the and adventurous media productions. Conservative government in recent elections. Regulation – Sonia Livingstone and Peter Lunt However, The Times has maintained a more neutral (A Level) stance, particularly in its coverage of the Brexit debate as its readers are comprised of ‘Remainers’ The Times Newspaper Group and News Corp are and ‘Leavers’. facing increased pressure alongside the rest of the UK press industry to adhere to strict rules and The interrelationship between media technologies and patterns of consumption regulations on industry practice. This has arisen after and response the phone hacking scandal and subsequent Leveson enquiry into the industry. There is an underlying Consider how the website for The Times (www. issue of protecting citizens from harmful, or more thetimes.co.uk ) has addressed the changes in recently, ‘fake’ material while maintaining choice technology and audience consumption of news. The and the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing group was one of the first companies in the UK to and injustice through responsible journalism. The introduce an online newspaper but also introduced increasing power of companies like News Corp and paywalls requiring readers to pay a subscription to their expansion into digital media has also placed use the site. This was introduced in response to the traditional approaches to regulation at risk. fall in print sales within the group. Cultural industries – David Hesmondhalgh (A In 2016, The Times and Sunday Times launched Level) a combined website and made the decision to The Times Newspaper group is part of a vertically move from a rolling news to an edition-based and horizontally integrated company with a wide digital format, updated three times a day to range of titles on offer in order to maximise 5  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet audiences and minimise risks. The reach of News Whilst the front page of the newspaper may Corps spans a range of different cultural industries be less explicit in its political allegiance, other enhancing their global power. By association, pages in the newspaper and on digital platforms The Times benefits from access to other cultural reinforce the right-wing ideology of the industries and is therefore financially protected. newspaper, for example the editorial and opinion Rather than seeing digital media as a threat, the pieces and political cartoons. company has embraced its digital expansion and introduced paywalls to allow for online content The Times letters page is culturally iconic to be viewed while still generating income. As and offers readers an opportunity to air their part of News Corp, the company is part of a wide views and interact with the community of the organisation responsible for different cultural newspaper. This page and the ‘Comment’ section industries. This can benefit the newspaper greatly in of the newspaper reflect the readership and their terms of production and promotion. interests and concerns. Starting points: Audience The values, attitudes and beliefs of the newspaper and the way in which they represent Consider the following points in relation particular stories will resonate with like-minded to the edition of the newspaper you have readers who may have chosen this newspaper studied in class. because of its right-wing stance. Readers will be How are audiences grouped and made to feel part of the newspaper’s community categorised? and that the stories and articles reflect their views. This audience will accept the preferred The Times’ target audience, according to ABC data, reading of the newspaper. is predominantly ABC1, over 35 and has a liberal/ right-wing political stance. This well-educated and Theoretical approaches: Cultivation theory – middle-class audience take an interest in national Gerbner and global affairs and can understand and engage Audience exposure to repeated patterns with detailed political reporting. of representation, such as that of Brexit, the How do newspaper producers target economy, or the government in power, by audiences? newspapers may shape and influence their views and opinions of the world around them. Gerbner The front page of the newspaper is important went on to say that this is not like ‘hypodermic in targeting the audience. The choice and model’ but rather depends on what the audience style of the main headline and central image already believes. Newspapers function as are important in attracting the reader and in opinion leaders and mediate the news for the communicating the view the newspaper is taking readers with their political allegiance in mind. on the particular story featured. These views will therefore be cultivated and The newspaper appeals to the audience through reinforced by the newspaper and its content. its content and the inclusion of hard and soft Reception theory – Stuart Hall news items, for example the lifestyle supplement ‘times2’. The producers of newspapers encode ideas in their publications that are to be decoded by their readers. The launch of the edition-based digital format Active audiences who agree with the ideology of addressed both the need to target a broader the newspaper will accept the viewpoint of the audience and understanding that readers of The newspaper that is evident in its approach to stories Times preferred a digital edition that, whilst and editorial and opinion pieces. Those readers having some daily updates, closely resembled who have a different political allegiance will have the print format. Distributing the publication an oppositional response, disagreeing with the across digital platforms allows it to be updated, messages constructed by the newspaper and will not which will appeal to younger audiences, as will buy nor read a publication that does not reflect their the launch of Times Radio. ideas and opinions. 6  A Level Media Studies – Set Product Fact Sheet End of audience – Clay Shirky (A Level) Economic The concept of audience members as passive The newspaper industry has faced economic pressure consumers is no longer tenable in the age of digital in recent years as the sale of print copies has steadily technologies. This is because they have enabled fallen. Ownership is hugely significant in relation to the rise of the prosumer who can create their own the newspaper industry, particularly when print sales content submitting stories as a citizen journalist, are on the decline and advertising revenue is falling. offering an immediate perspective on news stories. Newspapers such as The Times, which are part of Consumers can also actively engage and ‘speak larger, powerful conglomerates, are more protected back’ to the news media. The Times newspaper and from economic risks. Some newspaper titles website offers interactive opportunities for readers to including The Times have introduced subscriptions comment on stories and features, thus giving them a to access their digital products and to secure an voice as part of the newspaper’s community. income. Political CONTEXTS Social and cultural The political context of newspapers shapes the product and is reflected in the way in which stories Newspapers reflect the society and culture in which are selected and how issues, events and social they are produced, but they are not windows into groups are represented. As a right-wing publication the world. The Times is a right-wing publication in and a quality broadsheet, The Times will select a largely right-wing press. Issues and events will stories and present them in a way that reflects their be represented differently in different newspapers political ideology and appeals to their right-leaning according to their ideology and the expectations readership. The news agenda will reflect the needs of of their audience. The Times, although generally the readers for detailed, informative reporting. neutral in its stance, will tend to implicitly favour the government and its policies. Their content will also reflect the needs of their ABC1 audience demographic. Consider how this context is evident in the issue of the newspaper you have studied. 7