This document provides information about representing events in the media. It includes: - Different levels of learning objectives around deconstructing media texts using representation techniques. - An overview of how events could be represented through language, images, and other codes. - Brief descriptions of the perspectives of different parts of the political spectrum in the UK. - A list of common news values that influence what stories are reported. - Short case studies on The Sun, The Guardian and The i newspapers outlining their ownerships, political leanings and target audiences.

1. CW Case Studies for Issues: Events [Date]
MS1 Representation
08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 1
Level
Learning Objective/ Outcome
All
(C)
Are able to deconstruct media texts
Most
(B)
Are able to deconstruct media texts confidently using
denotation & connotation for Representation
Some
(A)
Are able to deconstruct media texts confidently and link them
to theroies.

2. Events
• How has the EVENT been Represented
– Language
– Mode of address
– Anchorage
– Technical codes
– Visual codes
– Audio codes
– Use of images

3. Socialist/ Left-Wing
Rights for workers and
minorities are key.
Believe the rich benefit
from exploiting the poor
and that this system
should end. Pro
revolution.
Liberal
Pretty middle of the
road. Tend to offer
the most unbiased,
objective perspective.
Believe it is important
to represent people
from all minority
groups and countries.
Conservative /
Right of middle
Uphold traditional
values about
Britishness, class,
gender etc.: anti-
Labour and Lib Dems.
Don’t like Britain being
part of EU.
Wary of immigration.
Pro-Capitalist.
Nationalist / Right-
Wing
Incredibly patriotic.
Dislike change – highly
supportive of
traditional values:
anti-abortion, anti-
same sex marriage,
heavily opposed to
immigration. Believe
Britain should be
Britain for (White)
British people.
Socialist Worker
Morning Star
Daily Mail
The Sun
Daily Telegraph
Financial Times
The Voice
Independent
Guardian The Mirror
The Metro
Evening Standard Daily Stari
The Times

4. News Values
• In 1965, media researchers Galtung & Ruge
analysed international news stories to find
common attributes.
• They identified a list of news values common
across news bulletins and newspapers.

5. News Values
• Negativity – bad news is good news!
• Familiarity – local news is most relevant!
• Immediacy – new News is News!
• Continuity – people want to find out more about things in the public eye.
They want updates on existing News stories.
• Amplification – Is it a big event? Involves lots of people? Plane crash kills
one or Plane crash destroys city – what’s more exciting?
• Unambiguity – Is it clear an definite?
• Uniqueness - ‘Man Bites Dog’ is more exciting that ‘dog bites man’.
• Simplicity – a simple story is easier to read.
• Personalisation – human interest draws on heart-strings.
• Predictability – did people think there would be a riot and there was?
People love knowing they were right!
• Unexpectedness – Surprise!
• Elite Nations / People – Celebs, Royals, US and UK.

6. 08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 6

7. CS1: The Sun
• Owned by Rupert
Murdoch – a well
known Conservative
Supporter
• Murdoch also owns The
Times
• Target Audience – Mass
UK market
08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 7

8. CS2: The Guardian
• Owned by Guardian Media
Group, independent
organisation
• Much more left wing in
approaches to stories
• Target Audience – Educated
Upper Middle Class+
08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 8

9. CS3: The i
• Owned and published by
Independent Print
• Aimed at "readers and
lapsed readers" of all ages
and commuters with limited
time
• Focus on Liberal – but
prides itself as BALANCED
08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 9

10. 08/05/2015 Term 2, Lesson 1 10