Guardian's coverage of the Queen's Death.

1. 2020: Evaluate the effectiveness of one of the following theories in understanding how cultural and
historical circumstances can affect audience interpretations of news stories:
EITHER • Hall’s Reception theory OR • Bandura’s Media Effects theory.
• Hall - reception theory
• Preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings
• Example - Queens death - historical and cultural
• Think about how this was reported but different newspapers
• Guardian:

2. Guardians take on the
Queens death

3. • Rigour, integrity, honesty
• Guardian - left wing paper seen by citizens
• But the guardian see themselves as honest and mainstream - no bias
in their journalism
• Could argue that the guardian doesn’t even know it is shaping
its audiences values (Bandura)

4. Guardian – as an example for 2020 question
• Every news story from the guardian presents the queen in a positive light, respectful -
'nice' images – this is the preferred meaning of the guardian
• They preach that they take a neutral approach but in this particular story we can see
right wing values represented here through the royalist features very much in support of
the royals and therefore respecting the queens death.
• This goes against the usual codes, conventions and culture of the guardian – supposed to
be unbiased and natural.
• Preferred reading – the guardian want the audience to feel sympathy for the queen and
royal family
• Rigour can be represented here as the guardian have been cautious when choosing the
images of the Queen when announcing her death
• Integrity - honest and strong moral principles, truth - looking at the articles and
copy (text)
• Honesty

5. Pictures they used

6. The cover they used

7. Content of the articles
• Lots of photos from various time periods – all flattering of the queen
• 'Britain mourns the death of the queen' - a natural as they don’t state
their own opinion by using 'we' - this DOES conform to Guardians
usual news agenda (of integrity).
• They are sticking to their usual style – no bias
• Informative without bias
• 'she appointed the 15th prime minister of her 70 year reign' -
informative

8. • The definition of the word rigour is reflected here - the quality of
being extremely thorough and careful
• They include many quotes from variety's of people – to make sure
to get an accurate view on the story without including their
own take or twist on the story

9. • 'News of Queen Elizabeth’s death was not wholly unexpected.
She lived to the great age of 96. After enjoying markedly good health
for so long, the oldest monarch in British history had recently
appeared more fragile. ' - formal, facts

10. • They claim to be un-bias
• But the British public when voting say they are left wing which would
reflect the slight anti-royal language e.g.
• Research suggests that left wing people don't know they are left wing
• Many workers at the guardian are anti royal – this is not reflected on the
front cover – as she is the monarch of the nation – who respect the queen
• BUT in the articles (inside) we see some differing views - it brings up the
Duke of York allegations, controversies with Jeffery Epstein – which stain
the respect for the royal family.

11. Guardian
• Liz truss – female prime minister only for 49 days
• How was this dealt with compared to the death of the queen
• (if the example you use has no oppositional or negotiated reading –
like the queens death) use another event to compare it to.
• The prime minister departs humiliated after 45 days. Her reckless
misjudgements showed she was never up to the job - more bias and
harsh language, not respectful, unflattering images
• The guardian being more left wing may also explain their opposition
towards the conservative failing PM