The Times: Representation and Industry notes💕

 Representation

1) What representation of private schools can be found on the main front page story of the Times

"Fee-paying schools 'save the tax payer £20 billion'"Views education as important and represents fee paying schools in a positive light. More elitist.

2) What representation of the Conservative Party can be found in the story at the top of the front page 'Calls for criminal enquiry as top ministers deny security leak?

Story about potentially criminal government leak is angled to defend the government and contains multiple denials of any wrongdoing. This supports the government and creates a representation of the Conservative Party as being law-abiding and open to scrutiny. This reinforces the fact that the Times usually supports the Conservative Party in British politics.

3) How are the Royal Family represented in the Times? (See front page 'Fitting tribute' - Duchess of Cambridge picture and the inside page 'Royal Anzac Day on both sides of the world'). 

Focus on the future King of England and his wife/family and role in international diplomacy (similar to The Mirror but more positive, less gossip).

4) How does the coverage of the Royal Family in the Times contrast with the reporting of the same events in the Daily Mirror?

Focus on future King of England and his wife/family and role in international diplomacy (similar to The Mirror but more positive, less gossip).

5) How are British people and Muslims represented in the article and sidebar 'Sri Lanka tourists warned of more terror'?

Easter Sunday bombings: threat of Islamist extremism in Sri Lanka and infiltrating Britain: ‘Extremist preacher encouraged students…’ Fear of minority religions and ethnic groups. 

Sri Lanka tourists: warning British tourists about foreign terror attacks. More of a Right-Wing viewpoint and suggests readers have money for exotic holidays. Also a more right-wing negative view of minorities as ‘other’ and potential threat.

Industries

1) Who owns the Times? Write the name of the company AND the billionaire who owns the company.

The Times is owned by News UK and is mostly owned by Rupert Murdoch, an Australian media mogul with many business interests worldwide such as the Fox network in the USA.  

2) What was the The Times's circulation in 2019? How many papers did the Times used to sell back in the 1990s?

The Times circulation in 2019 was 376,000, down 12% in a year and much lower than the high point of over 800,000 in the 1990s.

3) How has the Times reacted to the decline in print sales and the growth of the internet?

Moved towards a multi-platform landscape. This means that it publishes and synchronises across its print, desktop and mobile platforms. Created a social media strategy in collaboration with the digital team to drive growth of their Twitter and Facebook profiles. 

4) What does IPSO stand for and what is IPSO's job?

Independent Press Standards Organisation. They regulate 1500 print and 1100 online titles, help with unwanted press attention, advise publication editors and provide information to the public.

5) Why do some people want stronger regulation of British newspapers? 

Some people argue that the newspaper industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself using IPSO and that stronger, statutory regulation should be introduced instead. This would also implement the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry which followed the phone-hacking scandal.