This set of slides discusses critical discourse analysis in the media.

1. Analyzing Media
Critical Discourse Analysis
Jill Margerison

2. Journalistic Discourse
the sourcing and the construct of news is
linked with the actions and opinions of social
groups

3. McLellan 1986
“..human beings collectively and
individually create their own reality
in response to changing
circumstances.”

4. What is journalism for?
Entertainment?
Manipulation of society?
To sell a product?
Propagate views of the powerful?
To help people better understand the world?
To bear witness to events?
To warn?

5. The Audience
What kind of
audience is
imagined by the
journalist?
Consumer?
Commodity?

6. Ethics
1. seeking and reporting truths
2. acting independently
3. minimising harm
4. being accountable for their work

7. Objectivity
An objective story can never be one that
separates facts from values
Journalists not neutral channels through which
messages pass

8. Lexical Analysis
Analysis of particular words used in a newspaper text
Words convey imprint of society and value judgements
They convey connoted as well as denoted meanings

9. Iraq War 2003
Saddam
Hussein
reported to
be a threat
to world
peace

10. Iraq War 2003
Weapons of
Mass
Destruction
Emotive
Spin

11. The Truth
Mendacity - untruthfulness
Yet Western media not guilt
free
True objectivity is impossible

12. Boeing 777 according to Russian News
Shot down by Ukrainian MiG-29
possibly piloted by Polish pilot
Why would this be an important
detail to include? For what
reason?
Why is a Romanian expert of
value?

13. Ukrainian news
Ukrainians
suggest that the
Russians shot the
flight down
Eyewitnesses
report

14. Neutral Source?
Which country is
not strongly
involved
emotionally and
strategically is
not aligned with
Russia or
Ukraine?

15. Source from Mexico
El Financiero
Does not accuse
either side but leaves
judgement more open
ended.

16. jillmargerison@drjmargerison
jillmargerison@jillmargerison
jill.margerison@tss.qld.edu.au
http://www.slideshare.net/jillmarg