Daily Mirror case study

 Language

1) Write the definition of the following key language for newspaper front pages (you may want to add an example for each from our Daily Mirror CSP):

Masthead: The title of the newspaper
Pug: Something to catch readers eye.
Splash Head: The lead story.
Slogan: Sums up newspaper
Dateline: The date the newspaper was published.
Kicker: A story at the top of the paper to draw attention.
Byline: A line naming the writer of an article
Standfirst: Introductory paragraph to article (usually in bold).

2) How much does a copy of the Daily Mirror cost? (Note: the current cost is different to the CSP edition - I recommend learning both).

95p

3) What are the main stories on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror (see above)? Make sure you learn the headline and what the stories are about.

The main stories are about measles vaccine and the Royal family (Harry and Williams rift being fixed through Kate).

4) Why is the choice of news stories on the Mirror CSP front page typical of a tabloid newspaper?


Typical tabloid newspapers tend to have more informal news that targets gossip around the royal family. This demonstrates how classic tabloid newspaper are mostly revolving around celebrities and their personal lifestyle.

5) What is the balance on the Daily Mirror front page between images, headlines and text?

The Daily Mirror has been seen to have bigger and bolder images and also bright headlines to instantly catch the audiences attention. This presents how they have included less and smaller writing so that the audience don't loose interest.

Audience

1) What is the target audience for the Daily Mirror?

The target audience for The Daily Mirror is the working class as well as people over 60. (C2-D3)

2) Why does the Mirror front page story appeal to the Daily Mirror audience?

The front page communicates how older people enjoy gossiping about the royal family and at the same time respect them deeply since they've know their family since they were a child. As well as this, the main story about MMR vaccination is on there in order to inform them of their child/grand children's safety at school or around the environment. 

3) Why might a reader enjoy the Daily Mirror? Use Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory to add detail to your answer.

A reader might enjoy the Daly Mirror

4) Why are print newspapers generally read by older audiences?

Print newspaper is generally read by older people as old people are used to reading newspapers.

5) How is the 'Wills and Harry royal rift' story on the double page spread constructed to appeal to Daily Mirror readers? 

The 'Royal rift' story is made to appeal to Daily Mirror readers it makes the royal family seem like a normal family. This may make audiences relate as they may have argued with their siblings before

Representation

1) What political party does the Daily Mirror support?

Daily Mirror supports the Labour party.

2) How does the Daily Mirror usually represent rich and powerful people?

Daily Mirror usually represents the rich and powerful as 

3) How are celebrities usually presented in tabloid newspapers like the Daily Mirror? Look at the 'New Bond stars are revealed' story on the front page of the Daily Mirror.

Celebrities in tabloid newspapers are usually represented as people who enjoy having affaires in order to gain attention and more money making them seem like ordinary people.

4) How are the royal family presented in the double-page spread 'Kate told Harry to make peace... then they all met up for tea'? 

The Royal family are being represented as an ordinary family who have had a argument they need to resolve. 

5) Why do you think the Daily Mirror represents the royal family as a 'normal' family? Why might this appeal to Daily Mirror readers?

The Daily Mirror represents the royal family as an ordinary family in order to help their target audience relate to their family feud an not feel as if their different due to their social class.


Industries

1) What company owns the Daily Mirror?

The company that owns the Daily Mirror is Trinity Mirror.

2) What is the Daily Mirror's circulation in 2021? How many papers did the Daily Mirror used to sell back in the 1990s?

Back in the 1990s, the Daily Mirror had over 3 million readers which dropped down to a bit over 350,000 readers during 2021.

3) Why has the newspaper industry struggled in the last 20 years?

The newspaper industry have hugely struggled in the last 20 years, this is due to the rise of internet as it has provided fast and free news to many loyal readers leaving the newspaper industry with less than half of their readers left.

4) How has the Daily Mirror reacted to the decline in print sales and the growth of the internet?

The decline in print sales has caused the Daily Mirror to create an online website and social media accounts. The move towards a multi-platform has made the Daily Mirror produce their news for free but charge subscription fees.

5) List five of Galtung & Ruge's News Values and explain how they link to the stories in our CSP edition of the Daily Mirror.

Familiarity = The new Bond movie has been scheduled and the feud between the royal family.

Predictability = The Daily Mirror audience predicted the royal family to have and argument over something small that would eventually cause a big fuss.

Surprise = The new Bond stars have been revealed and have shocked many people who are a fan of the bond movies.

Elite nations and people =Show news that has all happened in Britain and concerns many people who respect the royal family and have know them since they were a child.

Negativity = The news presented is bad however is seen as good news to the audience as they have the chance to talk about it and gossip to their friends.

Grade 8/9 extension task

The Daily Mirror's owner, Reach (then Trinity Mirror) bought control of the Express and Daily Star newspapers in 2018. Read this Guardian feature on the deal. Why did Trinity Mirror buy the papers?

Trinity Mirror bought the papers because he wanted they newspaper industry to grow bigger and give the scale to drive revenues from traditional newspaper operations and to also fight digital newspaper advertising to gain its place again.