Here are your two CSP pages for The Times:
The Times: Notes
Media Language
Mode of address: The Times employs a formal style with advanced language to reflect the needs/education level of the audience.
Construction: The Times uses some layout design techniques to attract its audience (sell lines, kickers, pugs). There are usually not as many as The Mirror, though.
Technical Codes: Whilst The Times employs colour, it is much more understated than the tabloid Mirror. More traditional fonts, styles and sizes reinforce this traditional symbolism.
Conventions: The Times observes more traditional codes and conventions than the Daily Mirror, with less direct address and a more formal, authoritative tone as if giving the reader less active participation and more passive access to information.
The Times: Representation notes
Front page
Some key aspects of the representation on the front page:
- By using the crest in its masthead, the newspaper is associating itself with being British and part of an established heritage and tradition.
- Reporting on the Post Office story is more balanced and doesn't criticise the Conservative government in the same way the Daily Mirror does.
Inside page
Some key aspects of the representation on the inside page:
- These pages partially take the side of the Conservative MPs, presenting them as somewhat heroic rather than calling for the likes of Vennells to be held accountable.
- Look at the different headlines and how they talk about the IT experts that previously worked for the Post Office.
Politics
The Times generally supports the right wing Conservative Party and is against the more left wing Labour Party. The newspaper will often act as a voice for the establishment (the wealthy and powerful) and will not support anything that threatens major changes to the status quo (how things currently are). This can be found in the front cover of the Times we need to study as the newspaper is not supporting the individuals that lost millions as a result of the scandal.
Post Office Scandal
If you're not sure about the main story in these CSP pages then this video summary will help.
Work through the following questions to make sure you are fully prepared for questions on the Times and the newspaper industry.
Language
1) What is the main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition and why does it appeal to Times readers?
2) How is the presentation of this story different to how the Daily Mirror presents it?
3) How is the Times front page designed to reflect broadsheet newspaper conventions?
4) How can you tell the inside pages of the Times are a broadsheet newspaper?
5) What does a close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggest about the Times's political beliefs?
5) What does a close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggest about the Times's political beliefs?
Representations
1) How does the Times represent the Post Office workers and Fujitsu in the CSP pages?
2) What representation of the Conservative Party can be found in the CSP pages of the Times?
3) Consider the subheading about Vennells "Vennells faces call..." - How does this newspaper present her involvement in this story?
4) What representation of Fujitsu can be found in the CSP pages of the Times? What does The Times journalist think of Fujitsu and Horizon's role in this scandal?
5) What opinion would Times readers be likely to have about Vennells, the Post Office workers and Fujitsu from reading these pages?
Grade 8/9 Extension Tasks
Read this article on the legal battles surrounding the Post Office scandal.
How has the government/society made it incredibly difficult for the postal workers to obtain justice despite the overwhelming support and evidence in their favour?
Due date: on SatchelOne.
