Newspaper Assessment

To what extent do the elements of media language used in sources A and B convey different values, attitudes and beliefs about the world?
In your answer you must:
- Analyse the ways in which media language has been used in combination in sources A and B to convey values, attitudes and beliefs about the world.
- Refer to relevant contexts and academic ideas and arguments in your analysis and draw judgements and conclusions in relation to the question.
(15 marks)
Context:
Joined EU in 1973 to boost trade and economy
Voted to leave EU in 2016 (52%-48%)

D.R.I
Deconstruct media language of the text
Representations within the main story
How does all of this link to the papers Ideology (attitudes and beliefs)?
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Both sources convey values, attitudes and beliefs about Brexit. Britain joined the EU in 1973 in order to boost trade and the economy. In 2016, Britain then held a referendum in which the public voted to either leave the EU or to remain in the EU. The referendum ended with the majority vote of 52% to leave and 42% to remain. The 4% difference in votes has caused a huge controversy in Britain and this is shown through the media. Source A, The Daily Mail is a tabloid newspaper and is on the right wing. Source B, The Guardian is a broadsheet newspaper and supports Liberals and stands on the left of centre wing. The Daily Mail portrays the views of wanting to leave the EU, whereas, The Guardian portrays the views of remaining in the EU.

The Daily Mail uses a bold, capitalised headline. The word 'our' stands out the most because it portrays that Theresa May believes that we are all together in this situation and it suggests that we stand with her in this process, showing that we have a positive attitude towards her and Brexit, possibly portraying that the audience for this newspaper is the 52% of the public that voted to leave the EU. This suggests that Britain's beliefs are to stick together through challenging times and shows Britain's right wing views through the fact that all the readers are wanting to leave the EU. Also, 'hands off' portrays that Britain do not want anyone interfering with the election, saying it is 'ours', so suggests that Britain wants to be independent in this process and do not want the rest of Europe getting involved. Additionally, saying 'Mrs May' makes the article more formal, showing our respect for her as our Prime Minister. This article being formal stands out because tabloid newspapers are not known to speak formal as this isn't how the demographic of this newspaper generally speak. This type of language would usually be found in a broadsheet newspaper such as 'The Guardian' so the fact that this newspaper uses this formal language shows the publics strong admiration for her.

However, The Guardian's headline is the opposite. It conveys that Theresa May is alone in this election as it says 'May declares war'. This could also present that Britain's attitudes towards her are negative as it suggests that we are against her, showing that the readers of this newspaper are mostly the 48% who voted to remain in the EU as they do not want Brexit. The word 'war' is violent so shows her weak leadership and vicious ways. Additionally, this shows the fact that this is a liberal newspaper and that it includes left of centre views, due to the fact that it seems as though Theresa May is fighting for what she believes is best, even though the rest of Britain do not agree, showing that either the public or the newspaper do not support her.

Additionally, the photo used in The Daily Mail conveys the publics values, attitudes and beliefs about the world because it presents Theresa May looking passionate about what she is fighting for, which is Brexit, showing the newspapers right winged views to want to leave the EU. Also, the use of dark lighting connotes passion and bravery and the picture being an action shot of her with her mouth open suggests she is strong worded and will speak her mind to get what is best for Britain. This conveys that we feel positive towards her as we trust her to do what is best for Britain because we believe she is a strong, trustworthy leader. However, the fact that she is not making eye contact shows that she is talking to Brussels and not the reader, making the reader feel disconnected to her as we do not feel involved in the process. This could make Britain's attitude towards her more negative as it feels as though she isn't involving Britain and isn't allowing us to make decisions, she is just doing it all herself.

The Guardian's cover image is of Theresa May looking fierce directly into the camera and is a close up. This makes Theresa May seem as though she is a malicious person as it seems like she is against the reader and is trying to create tension and anger in the world as she 'declares war on Brussels', making us feel as though she isn't a professional leader as she is not trying to create peace, she is creating war in the world, making this controversy about Brexit even worse. This presents the newspapers left of centre views because the newspaper is trying to show her in a bad light to make us feel against her and to not want to support her in this process of leaving the EU as the readers of this newspaper do not want Brexit as they were the 48% who voted to remain. Presenting that The Guardians views on Brexit is extremely negative.

In conclusion, The Daily Mail and The Guardian have two different strong views about the process of Brexit. The Daily Mail is strongly for Brexit, which presents the strong right wing views. Whereas The Guardian is not so keen on Brexit, showing the newspapers left wing views. These attitudes are conveyed through the use of language in the headlines and the photos of Theresa May.