Newspaper: 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: the title block of the newspaper

Pug: something to catch the reader's eye

Splash Head: the lead story

Slogan: sums up the ethos (values, beliefs) of the newspaper

Dateline: date newspaper was published

Byline: gives the name of journalist / writer

Standfirst: introductory paragraph usually in bold

2) What is the main story on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror (see above)? Make sure you learn the headline and what the story is about.

The British Post Office scandal involved the Post Office wrongfully persecuting thousands of innocent subpostmasters (someone who runs an independent Post Office branch for the company) for fake financial issues, caused by bugs / glitches in Horizon, an accounting software system developed by Fujitsu. As a result, Paula Vennells, who was the CEO of the Post Office, relinquished her CBE.

3) What is the 'pug' or smaller celebrity story on the front cover? Why might it appeal to Daily Mirror readers?

The 'pug' is usually something to catch the reader's eye. On the front cover, it reads "EXCLUSIVE: POST OFFICE SCANDAL" - this would appeal to Daily Mirror readers through the word "exclusive," which implies that the Daily Mirror is the only source of this information on the scandal. The bright red text is also extremely vivid and eye-catching in order to draw attention, and has connotations of drama and evil (in relation to how the scandal affected the lives of innocent people.) The smaller story is equally scandalous and therefore furthers readers' intrigue and interest.

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

Tabloid newspapers usually have a lot less text and are comprised mainly of images, mirroring the front cover of the Daily Mirror, as much of the space on the page is taken up by the main image rather than the text. Moreover, tabloid newspapers usually have a quite vivid colour scheme, further mirroring the usage of red and yellow on the front cover. The news stories blur the line between entertainment and information, combining soft news ("Eagle on ice" - ice skating story) with hard news (business and political affairs), paralleling the common presentation of soft news in tabloid newspapers.

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

Headlines and images are extremely large whereas text is significantly smaller, in order to emphasise the Daily Mirror as being a tabloid newspaper and increase accessibility and approachability for their audience.

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 support the Labour party as they are left-leaning. This is solidified through their usage of the word 'Tories' in the double-page spread (a nickname used by the left against the Conservative party). Furthermore, the column of text on the left of the double-page spread exemplifies Labour's opposition to the scandal, especially through the inclusion of an emotive quote from a Labour MP where the scandal is clearly disapproved of.

2) How does the Daily Mirror represent the Post Office in the CSP pages? Why do you think they present them in this way?

The Daily Mirror represents the Post Office as incompetent and targeting innocent victims in order to draw sympathy from their audience, and to further emphasise the left-leaning ethos of the newspaper.

3) How is Fujitsu represented in the Daily Mirror CSP pages? Look particularly at the use of images on the front cover and the section on Fujitsu on the inside page. Give detailed answers with evidence from the CSP pages.

Fujitsu is also similarly represented as incompetent and perhaps even evil - the large image on the front cover highlights their involvement in destroying the lives of innocent people. Moreover, the inclusion of their company name on the double-page spread in "The Fujitsu Files" is used to link the brand's visual identity to the scandal, and, through the sci-fi connotations of the typography and the word "files" (relating to the 'X-files'), perhaps even representing them as an evil corporation, mimicking the common representation of villains in science fiction narratives.

4) How are the Conservative Party represented in the Daily Mirror? Again, provide evidence from the CSP pages to support your answers.

The Conservative Party are represented as being involved in / having a significant part in this scandal through the inclusion of easily recognisable party members (e.g. Rishi Sunak) in the boxes on the left-hand-side. with each box discussing a different aspect of the scandal. Moreover, the Daily Mirror shows clear opposition to the Conservative Party through their usage of the word 'Tories,' a nickname often used by those on the left in order to patronise / demean members and supporters of the Conservative Party alike.

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

In the main article, Fujitsu and the Conservatives are represented as having a large part in the scandal / being one of the main factors towards it happening in the first place. This is illustrated mainly through the smug / happy representation of Simon Blagden OBE, who was the former non-exec chairman of Fujitsu, and who gained a government position through large donations. This is because this representation, emphasised through his smile, folded arms and confident posture, exemplifies the notion that Fujitsu and the Conservative party are not taking this scandal seriously / are perhaps even happy it occurred. Conversely, the Labour Party are highlighted as being in opposition to the scandal through the separate column on the left-hand side of the double-page spread; this is mostly illustrated through the inclusion of a quote - "This is astounding - a kick in the teeth for victims." This emotive quote showcases a Labour MP clearly stating that this scandal is an issue, highlighting the Labour Party as being sympathetic towards the victims, while also highlighting the Conservative Party as being complacent with the scandal at the same time. This reinforces stereotypes usually seen in the media.