Representation

Representation refers to the ‘construction’ of media texts; what we see is a re-presentation of events, people or ideas. ​

This is also known as mediation – ‘the act of going between (in this case, between the real world and audiences).

-It is not possible for the media to present the world as it really is because the media constructs meanings about the world.​

Newspaper Owners/Editors and sometimes Journalists change or mediate news stories and articles.

representation - key terms

construction - this is the way a media text is put together. In a magazine or newspaper it includes the layout and writing as well as the choice of images

mediation - This is the process everything goes through before it reaches an audience. This can be how newspaper or magazine photographs are cropped and captioned, or how real life events - like a protest or a speech by a politician - are portrayed in a news report.

selection - This refers to what has been selected to include in a media text.​ This can be particularly important in newspaper articles, where selecting certain facts over others can change the angle of a story; what is omitted is sometimes as important as what is included.

anchorage - These are the words that go along with images to give those pictures a certain meaning in a specific context. This includes captions and headlines in newspapers and taglines in adverts or on film posters

stereotypes - These are a simplified representation of a person, groups of people or a place, through basic of obvious characteristics - which are often exaggerated 

ideologies - These are the ideas and beliefs, held by media producers, which are often represented in their media texts. In a newspaper the ideology of the owner or senior editors could influence the way certain stories are represented such as lending support to a political party 

The Observer - House Style

-consistent blue masthead with the same font

-barcode is in the same place

-consistent colourful section at the top of the newspaper outlining the contents of the newspaper, as well as showing advertisement 

-always advertising dfs at the bottom

-always a main image towards the right of the page

-text lead and text driven 

-The newspaper changed its format on the 15th January 2018.​

-It was previously known as a Berliner size (smaller than a broadsheet, bigger than a tabloid). ​

-It was re-launched to a tabloid (but this was more in terms of size than style).

 (the exam extract will ALWAYS BE A TABLOID IF ITS THE OBSERVER AND NOT THE PREVIOUS UNLESS THE SET TEXT)

-media language aspects (in the white sections) 

• Today, our newspaper is being printed in a new tabloid format for the first time, a decision we took seven months ago. ​
• 
  We decided then that we also wanted to re-design The Guardian for our global readership online – to create a beautiful new design that works for readers across mobile, apps and desktop. ​
  
  
• It’s been an exhilarating period of creativity, imagination and focus, and we’re thrilled with the result. ​
• At The Guardian we have a special relationship with our readers. ​
• This relationship is not just about the news; it’s about a shared sense of purpose and a commitment to understand and illuminate our times. ​
• We feel a deep sense of duty and responsibility to our readers to honour the trust you place in us.​

​

Representation - analysing media language homework 

Layout

-structured and ordered 

-the main headline is positioned in large and bold text = grabs readers attention 

-the image of the protester = gives the focus of the articles significance 

Typography 

-sans and serif fonts are used

-the main headline is serif = formal

-bold and italic text 

Language 

-the language is formal 

-the use of the hashtag #metooagaisnttrump reflects what’s going on in the world socially 

Image 

-the main image is a female - her first = symbol of power = protesting and activism 

Colour and graphics 

-house style 

-purple and yellow boxes at the top left announcing the ‘rebrand’ draws attention 

-the bold red banner for #metooagainst trump makes the issue stand out = may link to feminism = social justice 

Codes and conventions 

-the front cover is broadsheet 

-hard news

-headline is direct = serious 

Headline and significance 

-the # relating to trump reflects in the real world

-the US GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN story reflects government instability 

Target audience 

-more left wing 

-appealing to political readers 

-cover highlights social justice, protests

Scott trust values 

-the observer is owned by the Scott trust which promotes public interest reporting

-focus on social justice and political accountability aligns with these values