The Times -Language and audience

  Audience


1) What is the main readership demographic for The Times newspaper?
The main readership demographic for The Times newspaper is a much more older and traditional audience, for example those above the age of 55 within the ABC1 social classes.


2) What aspects of the front page of the Times CSP edition suggest that their readers are likely to be more educated and interested in hard news rather than entertainment?
The majority of the front cover is dominated with words and there are less images than words. Hard news focuses mainly on royalty/politics, To prove this, there are definitely images of members from the Royal family on the front page of the Times CSP edition as well as one person from the military.

3) Times readers are mostly over 55 years old. Why is this and how is this reflected by the new stories and kickers in the CSP pages we have studied?  
Times readers are mostly over 55 years old because The Times is targeted towards an older and more traditional audience as we can guess through the way the front covers are laid out as well as being in mostly serif font, so those above the age of 55 are sure to be employed and interested in hard news to keep up with the news on the politics side of things. The Times CSP pages both contain lead stories on the Royal family, so an older generation would be interested in how they are doing as they grew up with them. There are many kickers that talk of what's happening in other parts of the country to perhaps attract more audiences and encourage them to read the newspaper if there is at least one story on there that interests them.

4) What is the main audience pleasure offered by the Times?
The main audience pleasure offered by the Times would be surveillance as this can be suggested from the many words printed on the page and a lot of details to fill in a person on what is going on in the country.

5) Why might a reader enjoy this CSP edition of the Times?

Surveillance/Information: Information about the British Royal family and British politics is provided. The topic of fee-paying schools implies that the Times readers believe that education is important in life so they are more likely to take the sides of teachers as the Times readers are more likely to support the conservative party, who focus on politics.

Diversion/Entertainment: The Royals are seen as important as they are a part of the British culture. News about the Royals may entertain a reader, who's concerned about their own culture/position/status in life or how they are perceived by others. The news about the Royals is from the point of view of the Times, a strong Conservative party supporter, so it makes sense that if the Times talk about the Royals on the newspaper from a good perspective, then readers will be able to use how the Royals are perceived to change it within themselves.

Personal Identity: Those who support the Conservative party would likely read the headline saying "Calls for criminal inquiry as top ministers deny security leak", which is a story that encourages passive audience participation. The story on "Fee-paying schools 'save the taxpayer £20 billion'" would be associated with those linked to school, for example parents of children who attend independent schools would read this story and understand from the Times' point of view how important education is.

Language

1) What is the main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition (26 April 2019) and why does it appeal to Times readers?
The main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition is when Kate Middleton is seen walking with her husband's brother, Prince Harry, in hopes of reconciling the relationship between the two. Their relationship broke in the first place possibly due to Meghan being insulted by Prince William. This would appeal to Times readers as they may like Kate Middleton for her personality and would want to read on about what has happened. 

2) List the other news stories and kickers on the front page of the Times CSP edition. Why do you think the Times selected these for the front page?
Most of the news stories on the front page is about the Royal family.
Other news stories and kickers: 

Royal Anzac Day on both sides of the world - The Times may have selected this for the front page as being placed directly next to the main story must mean it is linked to the main story. On the left side, there is Prince William disregarding his own culture and on the right side are the two Royal family members. This would not only be interesting but attract even more audiences due to the structure the front page is constructed in.

How death of grandmother put fear into Henry VIII - This is History. Henry VIII was a part of the Royal family, now an ancestor to Kate and William. It links to the topic of Royalty - Familiarity. Prince William's grandmother is Queen Elizabeth, the current Queen. This implies that the Queen may die soon and if William's and Harry's relationship is still broken, then Prince William would feel overwhelmed as he would be King after her.

Sri Lanka tourists warned of more terror - The Times is a broadsheet newspaper that supports the Conservative party. The Conservative's views and opinions are quite radical. They believe that Islam is dangerous and brings about terrorists and have confirmed their Islamophobia. Because they support the Conservative party, the readers are more likely to also be a supporter of the same party, therefore it will be easier for those readers to agree with what The Times is saying if there are political opinions added.

3) What are the main stories on the inside pages of the Times CSP edition and how are they constructed to appeal to Times readers? 
They are constructed to appeal to Times readers by being made up of mostly Royal news as well as adding politics here and there. This encourages the audience to follow their beliefs on certain topics as a passive audience. There is very few soft news; this is to perhaps attract other audiences by tricking them into thinking like them and as if all news on there are facts. Times readers will be even more loyal after reading the Times CSP edition.

4) Which of Galtung and Ruge's News Values apply to the Times's front page stories? Write about both the main story on private schools and the government leak enquiry. 

Amplitude: 
Main story on private schools involves large numbers of people.
Unambiguity: Main story on private schools is clear and definite.
Surprise: Main story on the government leak enquiry is unexpected.
Elite Nations & People: Main story on the government leak enquiry concerns well-known people.
Negativity: Main story about the government leak enquiry is bad news.
Balance: Both stories balance each other out as main story on private schools has financial benefits and government leak enquiry is negative.


Comments

Popular Posts