The Times

Question 1

When was the Times first published?

Answer 1

1785

Question 2

Why is The Times refered to as a broadsheet?

Answer 2

Because of its large size

Question 3

Who has published the Times since 1981?

Answer 3

The Times Newspapers

Question 4

What is the Times Newspapers part of ?

Answer 4

News Uk which is part of News Corp

Question 5

What is the political position of the Times?

Answer 5

Neutral, with a rightwing allegiance - supports the Tories during the General Election
However, The Times has maintained a more neutralstance, particularly in its coverage of the Brexit debate as its readers are comprised of ‘Remainers’ and ‘Leavers’.

Question 6

What is the Times well known for?

Answer 6

range of journalists with varied political viewpoints which allows the newspaper to offer a more neutral and balanced political stance on some issues

Question 7

How does the Times describe itself?

Answer 7

“A faithful recorder of the times for more than 200 years. It is authoritative, credible,
responsible, trusted and a part of the nation’s cultural heritage. A premium British brand, recognised the world over.”

Question 8

What does the set edition 1 Feb 2022 focus on?

Answer 8

the report into the investigation into parties held at Downing Street while the country was under lockdown restrictions

Question 9

What is the political context of the set edition?

Answer 9

The scandal surrounding allegations regarding parties and social gatherings held by the Conservative Party at a time when its leaders had enforced strict restrictions on the people of England that prohibited such gatherings.
* The story was first reported in November 2021 and alleged that during the lockdown Christmas of 2020, parties had been held at Downing Street, some of which had been attended by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This led to an inquiry being undertaken by senior civil servant Sue Gray, the results of which were published in January 2022.
* On the date this edition was published, Boris Johnson was due to give a statement to the Commons about what had happened. It was reported in the newspaper that Sue Gray had revealed that the Metropolitan Police were investigating several possible breaches of lockdown by No 10 and Boris Johnson had refused calls for his resignation.

Question 10

What demographic does the Times target?

Answer 10

ABC1 demographic with cultural capital and an interest in news and analysis in detail. This demographic is targeted through the news values of the paper, the selection of stories and how particular social groups and issues are represented

Question 11

Why has The Times focussed on this story?

Answer 11

to accurately present the news and its effect on society. Whilst it is not explicitly critical of the government on this front page, this story cut across political divides with many members of the Conservative party as well as Labour shocked by the revelations.

Question 12

What else is the edition plugging?

Answer 12

The page is split between political stories and a plug promoting Times2, the lifestyle supplement of the paper which in this instance features an article on fitness and a personal story about being bitten by a puppy.

Question 13

How is the layout reflective of broadsheet quality?

Answer 13

text led rather than image led. The Times usually has an image, which may be a standalone, a main story, a secondary story (usually in a right-hand column) and a plug. There is also often an ‘In the News’ section at the bottom of the page with jump lines linked to the main inside stories.

Question 14

What does the masthead connote?

Answer 14

The masthead is bold and recognisable and effectively signifies the ideology of the paper, suggesting that it reports and reflects upon the issues of the time.
The typography chosen is strong and commands the front page and is
placed either side of the crest and logo. The lion and the unicorn are symbols appearing on heraldic crests, and the slogan Dieu et Mon Droit– God and My Right – dates to King Richard 1st. The fact that this has remained unchanged by the newspaper suggests that they intend to reinforce their longevity and traditional values

Question 15

What does the headline connote?

Answer 15

The headline ‘Police investigate PM’s four lockdown parties’ is informative rather than
dramatic and enigmatic.
The same is true of the sub-heading ‘Gray criticises leadership and drinking culture’. subtle, implicit criticism through the selection and use of language, for example including the number ‘four’ and choosing the specific aspect of the report that comments on a ‘drinking culture’.

Question 16

What is significant about the pull quotes?

Answer 16

Taken from Sue Gray report and in large inverted commasto emphasise their importance.
Positioning them in white on the black background gives them prominence and means that they function as an anchor for the image of the Prime Minister.

Question 17

What is the central image?

Answer 17

close-up photograph of Boris Johnson with an indirect mode of address.
His code of expression shows some trepidation of what is to come as he goes to the Commons.
The newspaper has selected this photograph to suggest that he does have questions to answer, whilst not explicitly criticising him

Question 18

How are captions used for the phot?

Answer 18

The caption is long and gives information based on facts, placing the photograph in a context rather than taking an active stance. This is a typical convention of this style of newspaper

Question 19

What modes of address are used?

Answer 19

The ‘In the News’ section at the bottom of the page offers a brief summary of other content in the newspaper including a global aspect. The mode of address is serious and formal
The language and mode of address used for the stories on the front page are formal. The text is compact and detailed; subheadings are not generally used to split up the stories into sections, suggesting that the readers are comfortable with detailed information and analysis.
There is a sub-heading ‘The Times Verdict’ with jump lines to the analysis of the story on the inner pages, establishing the newspaper as an opinion leader

Question 20

How does the edition distinguis between serious and lighter news?

Answer 20

The plug is constructed differently, using a bright colour palette to differentiate between the serious and lighter elements of the newspaper’s content.

Question 21

What can you sy about political allegiances?

Answer 21

The Times demonstrates less explicit political allegiance compared to a tabloid publication and therefore may offer more than one viewpoint on an issue. The resolution of oppositions may only be evident and more explicit in something such as an editorial or an opinion piece, where the political allegiance of the paper may be more
obvious.

Question 22

How is the story represented?

Answer 22

The construction of the representation of the event and the key player on the front page
is dominated by the central image of Boris Johnson, anchored by a headline, subheadings and pull quotes.
* The choice of the image of Boris Johnson focuses on his code of expression of trepidation on his way to the Commons, anchored by the caption and the large quote from Sue Gray’s report. Unlike a tabloid newspaper, the representation of the event and Boris Johnson’s role in it is more implicit. However, the selection and combination of images and language constructs a subtly negative representation. The choice of pull quotes from the report, placed next to the image of the PM, implicitly directs blame at his behaviour: ‘There were failures of leadership and judgment by different parts of number 10 …’. The inclusion of the ellipsis creates an enigma suggesting that there is more to be seen in the report

Question 23

How is the PM presntedin a negative way?

Answer 23

The construction and choice of language in the headlines and subheadings represent the event and the PM in a negative way – ‘PM’s four lockdown parties’ implies Boris Johnson’s involvement and the use of “four’ points out the seriousness of the event.
The use of the phrase ‘drinking culture’ also constructs a negative representation of the event

Question 24

Why does the representation of events go against their usual political allegiances?

Answer 24

It may be that the newspaper feels responsible as an opinion leader to reflect the reactions of many people with differing political views to the transgresses of the
government.

Question 25

How are the audience positioned to consider the event?

Answer 25

The events are presented in an informative way, so the audience make their decision
about it. Within the readership of The Times, although it is a right-wing publication, there will be those who are shocked by the revelations of the breaking of lockdown restrictions by those in positions of power and then there will be those who remain supportive of the government.
The sub-heading ‘The Times verdict. Full analysis and comment inside’ suggests that these binary oppositions may be resolved by the newspaper’s opinion contained in these inner pages