The Times: Representation

Question 1

Selection & Combination

Answer 1

Newspapers have access to the same stories daily but will choose how to represent events and issues in a way that reflects the values, attitudes and beliefs of the paper and their readers. The way in which the event/issue/social is represented will affect the audience response. Newspapers are opinion leaders and will influence how audience may respond to the issue/event.

Question 2

Central Image: Boris Johnson

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

Pull quotes

Answer 3

• 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 4

Headlines and Subheadings

Answer 4

• 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 (and repetition) of the event. The use of the phrase ‘drinking culture’ also constructs a negative representation of the event.
• 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. It also suggest there will be measured and objective reporting within the content of this analysis too

Question 5

How does the representation in the set text differ from usual Times newspapers?

Answer 5

• This construction of the representation of the event does not reflect the newspaper’s usual political allegiance, which would be to support the government.
• It may be that the newspaper feels responsible as an opinion leader to reflect the reactions of many people (including other Conservative politicians and voters alike) with differing political views to the transgresses of the government.

Question 6

How does The Times construct a representation of the events and how does this reflect their purpose and intended reciever?

Answer 6

• The construction of the representation of the event positions the audience to consider the facts about the event, which are presented in an informative way, and to make their decision about it.
• Within the readership of The Times, although it is a subtly right-wing / centrist 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.

Question 7

Relevant Theory: Stuart Hall’s Representation Theory

Answer 7

• The majority of those reading this front page would likely gather that this story does NOT reflect Boris Johnson in a particularly positive light.
• The use of the signs embedded within this front page suggest that Boris Johnson and his supporters belong to a specific cultural group of predominantly white, middle to ruling class British citizens - who represent Conservative right wing values.
• This representation transmits ideas to the reader about inequalities of power and the subordination of certain social groups in the UK (including the working class and the lack of non-white ethnicities featured may even suggest certain racial inequalities in the group.
• These subordinations will be either supported or criticised by a variety of external groups expressing a common ideology. Marxists and those supporting working class rights (including those who see the actions portrayed in the story as a ‘one rule for the ruling elite, and another for all classes under them’ scenario, may be critical of Johnson’s actions and hypocrisy here.

Question 8

Relevant Theory: David Gauntlett Identity Theory

Part One - Boris Johnson

Answer 8

• Although politicians are often painted as role models by many outlets of the press, this story is hinting that Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership is responsible for the issues created through the organisation of these lockdown Christmas parties during the Covid crisis.
• Although certainly not as subjective as some of the tabloids response to this story - The Times’ approach to the Prime Minister here is one of disappointment and disdain - very few attributes of Johnson’s part in this story are transmissible as role model attributes worthy of more impressionable readers emulating him in the real world.

Question 9

Relevant Theory: David Gauntlett Theory

Part Two: Sue Gray

Answer 9

• The words of Sue Gray (the Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, reporting to the Duchy of Lancaster) - whose report into the Partygate scandal heavily criticised the government led by Boris Johnson
  and contributed to his eventual downfall as Prime Minister - are seen as much more respectable.
• It is almost as if the story sets her up as the ‘moral high ground’ within the scenario reported on - even though she is never pictured on the front page of the publication.
• It is her promise that the Metropolitan Police are investigating several reports of arranged Christmas parties, which brings a sense of honesty and level headedness to the proceedings as described within the copy of the story.
• In this context Gray is seen as the guardian of the truth, and her words portray the strong morals of a role model of high regard.

Question 10

Relevant Theory: Van Zoonen Feminist Theory

Answer 10

• Van Zoonen suggested that women are often portrayed as sexualised, weak or vulnerable in the media. Although Sue Gray’s image is noticeably absent amongst the imagery on the front page (instead giving way to a large close-up shot of Boris Johnson), her moral message and judgement of the event is
  ever present, as reflected in the Pull Quote and within the subheadings, thus subverting some of the feminist criticisms.
• However, the image of the yawning woman dressed in gym attire on the promotional plug somewhat conforms to the feminist theories of van Zoonen - the woman featured is young, slim and physically attractively (despite being nonchalant and seemingly disinterested in her exercises). This image is clearly constructed as a stereotype of a gym-fit young woman to appeal to a certain demographic of female readers and also perhaps attract male readers who find this image alluring.