Product Context Flashcards
What is The Times newspaper, and when was it first published?
The Times is a British national ‘quality’ newspaper, first published in 1785.
What is another term for newspapers like The Times due to their larger size?
Newspapers like The Times are also known as ‘broadsheets’ due to their original larger size.
Who has been publishing The Times since 1981, and what is the parent company?
Times Newspapers has been publishing The Times since 1981, and it is a subsidiary of News UK, wholly owned by News Corp, Rupert Murdoch’s company.
How does The Times position itself politically?
The Times adopts a more neutral position politically but has a right-wing allegiance, supporting the Conservative party at key times, such as during general elections.
What is The Times’ self-description and key attributes?
The Times describes itself as a faithful recorder of the times for more than 200 years, authoritative, credible, responsible, trusted, and a part of the nation’s cultural heritage. It is recognized as a premium British brand worldwide.
When was the set product published, and what was its focus?
The edition discussed was published on February 1st, 2022, and it focused on the report into the investigation of parties at Downing Street during lockdown restrictions.
What political context does this edition of The Times address?
The edition deals with the scandal of alleged parties and social gatherings by the Conservative Party during a time of strict restrictions on the people of England.
Who conducted the inquiry into the alleged parties, and when were the results published?
The inquiry was conducted by senior civil servant Sue Gray, and the results were published in January 2022.
What was Boris Johnson’s response on the publication date, and what investigation was revealed?
Boris Johnson was set to address the Commons, and Sue Gray revealed that the Metropolitan Police were investigating possible breaches of lockdown by No 10.
How does The Times reflect social and cultural contexts in its content?
The Times largely targets an ABC1 demographic with cultural capital, and its story selection and representation align with the news values that appeal to this demographic’s interest in news and analysis.
