Daily Mirror - Language and Representations

Language

1) Write the definition of the following key language for newspaper front pages (you may want to add an example for each from our Daily Mirror CSP):

Masthead: a list at the top of a page that includes the names of editors, writers, and owners, as well as the title of the newspaper

Pug: Top right 'ear' of the newspaper, usually having offers and promotions.

Splash Head:  The lead story.

Slogan: a short phrase that is easy to remember.

Dateline: a line in a written document or a printed publication giving the date and place of composition or issue.

Kicker: an additional headline for your news.

Byline: a line in a newspaper naming the writer of an article.

Standfirst: An introductory paragraph in an article, printed in larger or bolder type or in capitals, which summarises the article.

2) How much does a copy of the Daily Mirror cost? (Note: the current cost is different to the CSP edition - we recommend learning both).

90p

3) What are the main stories on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror (see above)? Make sure you learn the headline and what the stories are about.

Climate change and pride of Britain awards.

4) Why is the choice of news stories and content on the Mirror CSP front page typical of a tabloid newspaper?

Generally, the newspaper will act as a voice for normal people and go against the rich and powerful so it is no surprise they chose stories they chose stories from the perspective of ordinary people.

5) What is the balance on the Daily Mirror front page between images, headlines and text?

Daily mirror contain a lot more images with very little text.


Representations

1) What political party does the Daily Mirror support? Is there any evidence to support this in the CSP pages we have studied?

The Daily Mirror supports the Labour Party and is against the Conservative Party.

2) How does the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards represent ordinary British people?

The Awards celebrate extraordinary achievements of people of all ages, from children of courage to lifesaving emergency workers, inspirational fundraisers and people who make the world a better place, in local communities and on a national or even global scale.

3) How is climate change as an issue represented in the Daily Mirror? What evidence can you provide from the CSP pages to support this?

The severity and urgency of the issue is presented very well as it is refered to being '1 minute to midnight' by the former prime minister Boris Johnson 

4) How are environmental protesters like Greta Thunberg represented in the Daily Mirror? Look at the inside pages to answer this.

Referred too as a a 'masked crusade' suggesting she is on a mission although she is a young girl and is not as clueless as 'Boris' who is presented as a prime minister who is quite uneducated

5) Read the main articles on the inside pages. How are different countries, political leaders and Royals represented in the Daily Mirror? Does this reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we usually see in the media?  

Ordinary people and working class citizens are presented as more important and stronger than political leaders who are purposefully presented as clueless

Introduction to Newspapers

1) What type of news can you typically find in a tabloid newspaper?

Tabloids tend to feature shorter articles and include more photographs. They report on major news, but also include a lot of showbiz gossip, entertainment and sport.

2) What type of news can you typically find in a broadsheet newspaper?

Broadsheet newspapers traditionally tend to be more serious, have smaller fonts, more advanced use of language and less photography

3) If someone is left-wing, which political party are they likely to support? Which newspaper would they be likely to read?

Left-wing = Labour = Daily Mirror

4) If someone is right-wing, which political party are they likely to support? Which newspaper would they be likely to read?

Right-wing = Conservative = The Times

5) Why has there been a decline in newspaper sales in the last 20 years?

Whilst still popular, since the 1950s, there has been a gradual decline in newspaper sales due to TV news programmes and, more recently, the growth of digital news through websites and social media.

6) Why is a free press important in a democracy like the UK?

A free press implies that journalists (those that write for newspapers) and newspaper editors can edit content free of intervention from Government influence. More than a third of the world’s population live in countries where there is no press freedom. Journalists are often imprisoned if they disagree with the Government, social media channels are not allowed, non-democratic countries often control access to information and employ state-run news organisations.