Representation & Bias

1) Whose perspective have Sky News used to present the story? (Clue: it’s in the opening line)
Sky News has used the 8 Police men who were in hospital because of the riots in London.


2) How are the police represented in this coverage?
The police are represented as the victims in the London riots as the presenters are presenting the story in honour of the police men who are suffering in hospital because of the riots. 


3) How are young people represented in this coverage?
Young people are represented as violent and reckless in the coverage as they are showing smashing bottles, throwing petrol bombs, setting cars, building and buses on fire. 

4) What images and videos are selected by Sky News to accompany the story?
The images & videos shown by sky news is the rioters going reckless and destroying anything that comes into their path. 


5) What choice of words is used to present this news event?
The choice of words used in this news coverage are words to describe how violent the rioters are and how vunerable the police are. 


6) What aspect of the story is chosen as the most important detail and included at the very beginning of the report?
The most important aspect of the story is the part of the London Bus and building that were lit on fire by the rioters and the police officers suffering in hospital to show how violent the riots were.

7) How is narrative used to engage the audience with this news story?
The narrative is used the enage the audience to show how violent and serious it is by the public having to be injured and having to leave their own homes because of this devastating event.

8) How can we apply Todorov’s equilibrium theory to this coverage?
We can apply this by saying if it was fair or not, the riots was not fair at all for the members of the public and others as they did nothing to cause this. The disequilibrium is started by when the police gets involved and that there would be more fighting as police would fight and the rioters would fight back.

9) What examples of Propp’s character types can we find in this coverage? Are there heroes and villains?

There is no heros or villians in this event. But some would say that the heros is the police crew as they stopped the riots by arresting them and the villians would be the rioters causing the masses of destruction everywere. 

10) How might citizen journalism have been used to provide a different angle on this story?
Citizen journaslim would have been used to provide a different story as it may show the police throwing things back, news programmes may not have covered those bits of the police throwing deadly objects back.

bbc & newsround

60 Seconds News & News Round Case Study

NewsRound=

2) How does Newsround use the key conventions of TV news?
NewsRound uses Colour scheme of TV news key conventions to show bright and interesting colours towards their programme to catch the audience’s attention and to gather a bigger audience.
They have interviews in their TV news programme with children on topic of schools. They use this so the children’s voice can be heard and shows fair and balanced news.                                                    

3) Who are the presenters for BBC Newsround? Why do Newsround have a variety of presenters?
Leah Boleto                                                                                                                                                                                           Ricky Boleto                                       
Martin Dougan                                                                                                                                                                                   Hayley Hassall                                                                                                                                                                                                    Jenny Lawrence                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ayshah Tull                                                                                                                                                                                         NewsRound uses a variety of presenters                     

4) Are any other presenters or reporters used?
They are used to present special news and any other type of news that are not usually shown every day.

5) What does the studio look like? How is technology used in programme?
The studio has a colour scheme of purple, green, blue and white. The studio is like a box room which has a massive screen and a reporter, easy for their audience to understand. Technology is used for moving graphics behind the presenter on the screen they also tell the audience to visit the web for more information so the audience can find out more if they wish.

6) What is the opening sequence to Newsround? Does it fit the key conventions of TV news?
The opening sequence is the presenter introducing themselves and giving us a quick brief of what will be coming up later into the programme.

7) How does Newsround typically present a news story? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
They firstly give video footages if there is any to give out to us; they give background speeches of the presenters while the camera is shown to be going around the main scene. They then would give us an interview with any member of the public if they have a reporter on location.

8) Who is the target audience for Newsround? You may want to research this online.
6 to 12 year olds.

9) Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme? Do young people feature in the news programme at all?
Yes, they can give opinions on news online they can also have interviews with the children with something, (general election).

10) What news stories are covered in the broadcasts you have watched? List ALL the stories that are covered AND the order that they appear in. How long does each story appear for?

Journalist freed after year in prison. 30 seconds.

Girl raises £300,000. 5 secs.

Writing found inside ancient scrolls. 5 secs.

BBC3 60 Seconds=

2) How does the BBC3 60 Second News use the key conventions of TV news?
They use: Social media, animated graphics, text on screen, voice overs to communicate with the audience much clearer.

3) Who are the presenters for the BBC3 60 Second News? What do you notice about their age and how they are dressed?
Sam Naz

Ben Mundy

ChiChi Izundu

Tina Deheley

They are around middle aged people who wear dresses/suits to look formal towards the audience and to show that they are professionals.

4) Are any other presenters or reporters used?
No

5) What does the studio look like? How is technology used in programme? How are graphics used in the presentation of the news?
The studio’s colour scheme is Purple and White to make it look eye catching. The studio uses technology mainly, the use tablets and phones on screen to present the news, which can make it aim towards a younger audience. Graphics are also used mainly as there are moving graphics in the background so the audience doesn’t get bored. They also have a timer in the background counting down from 60 to ensure that the news is exactly 60 seconds.

6) What is the opening shot of the BBC3 60 Second News? Does it fit the key conventions of TV news?

Opening shots is the animated graphics on screen showing off the programmes logo with moving colours to make it look more eye-catching than the other news programmes.

7) How does the BBC3 60 Second News typically present a news story? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
They show images, videos, interviews with voice overs in the background.

8) Who is the target audience for the BBC3 60 Second News? You may want to research this online. Why does the BBC feature news on a predominantly entertainment-based channel?
18-34

9) Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme? Do young people feature in the news programme at all?
Yes, they provide social media links for the audience so they can send in some comments they may have along with their website link.

10) What news stories are covered in the broadcasts you have watched? List ALL the stories that are covered AND the order that they appear in. How long does each story appear for?

Officials know that the Alps plane crash pilots suffered from depression. 9 secs.

Good luck Jonathan is no longer president. 11 secs.

Iran Nuclear talks extended. 11 secs.

Woman gets racist to 2 black men. 10 secs.

Selfie shoes are shown. 10 secs.

News Value

Negativity

The Nepal earthquake can fit any other type of news value's but mainly it would fit the negativity value. A devastating earthquake that would wipe out an entire country and kills thousands of people would mostly likely become a major news story all around the world. This fits the negativity column perfectly as it contains death, dramatic images, people running for lives & tragedy. This would create questions in the minds of the audience as they would wonder what happens to the survivors, what was going through the minds of the people who were suffering from the earthquake. 


Closeness to home

The general election would fit the closeness to home value perfectly as it contains voting from the public. A election to decide who becomes the UK's new leader would affect every person across the UK as the new leaders would change the way bills, taxes, education, etc works. This is why it fits into the closeness to home value. 

Immediacy

The 9/11 would fit other values such as, negativity, this would fit the immediacy as it major news all around the world. Mainly in America, this news story would also fit the Immediacy as it is all over the media/social media as everyone remembers all those who has been killed in this major event.

Simplicity

The German wings plane crash fits the simplicity section perfectly as it is easy for a news company to broadcast and explain the news story. The audience would understand exactly what is going on. A plane crash is easy to understand as one mistake has a high impact on what the plane will do next. It would attract a high number of audience's as they would want to know how it happened and what happened to the passengers, did they die? did any survive?

Uniqueness

This would fit the uniqueness category perfectly as it is unusual to see someone famous/speical take an object from the audience. Famous/Special people wouldent really take objects such as foods from the audience as they would not know what it contains, it may contain something they are allergic to or possibly poison. This is why it fits the uniqueness category.

Elite nations or people

The royal couple have another baby, which is why it is placed in the elite nations or people category. The royal couple are a very important people in the United Kingdom, and for them to add another family member to that important family is major in the UK. They had also shown interviews and gave us in depth history, this is how important the royal family is.

Index

1) TV News case study 1: Channel 4 News

2) TV News case study 2: BBC News at Six


3) TV News case study 3: coverage of the General Election across different news programmes

4) TV News case study 4: independent case studies (BBC3 60 Second News and Newsround)

5) News Values blog task

6) TV News audience - creating a running order

7) TV News representation - analysing Sky News coverage of the 2011 riots

Case Study

Case Study

 What is the angle of a news story? Give an example to explain your answer.
The angle of a news story is how you report a story.
The news angle is the perspective that the news provider takes on a certain event. Changing the angle can significantly alter the way a news story is reported

What is the difference between tabloid and broadsheet news coverage?
Tabloid is less serious content, focusing instead on celebrities, sports and crime stories

Broadsheet is serious news: politics, economics, and international news.

What would be an example of a tabloid-style TV news programme?
60 seconds news

What would be an example of a broadsheet-style TV news programme?
BBC news

What is the difference between international, national, regional and local news coverage?

International: World News

National: UK-Wide News

Regional: London/Yorkshire/Scotland

Local: West London, Leeds, Edinburgh

Answer the questions on the election coverage clips…

Is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
National, because the 2015 election only takes place in the UK.

What angle does the report take on the story?
The BBC only keeps their focus on the main UK parties. They go to different locations to find out what those parties have to offer.

Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
This is a more broadsheet style coverage as it presented professionally

What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?

I would expect an audience around 20-50 as the language is complicated. And that BBC’s audience is usually around 20-50.

Sky News election
1) is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
Regional because the only keep their focus on politics that are about London.

2) What angle does the report take on the story?
Their focus is mainly on David Cameron, which is unfair and biased on the politic leaders.

3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
Tabloid because they showed Larry the cat on screen

4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?

Around 16-35 year olds because of the language used and because of Larry the cat, which could be a bit childish for an older audience

STV (Scottish) coverage of the election story

1) is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
National news because it is mainly focused on the Scottish politics

2) What angle does the report take on the story?
Their focus is on only the Scottish politics which is biased towards the other politics.

3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
This is mainly tabloid as they use animated graphics on screen to present their news

4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?

16-40 because their news story is serious but animated which is why it does not apply to an older audience.

Channel 4 News coverage of the election story.

1) Is this international, national, regional or local news? How can you tell?
National as they only focus on the parties based in London.

2) What angle does the report take on the story?
Their angle is balanced as they show roughly the same amount of time on the different parties to fit their time slot

3) Is this more tabloid or broadsheet-style coverage?
Tabloid & Broadsheet. Tabloid because they use animated graphics to show the party leaders. Broadsheet because they show all the sides of the parties using complicated language.

4) What kind of audience would you expect to watch this type of TV news programme? Why?

Around 18-50 because of the language which is why it does not apply for a younger audience and because of the animated graphics it doesn’t apply to any older audiences.

BBC case study

BBC Case Study

Basic details

What do the letters BBC stand for?

British Broadcasting Corporation

How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by people purchasing TV licences

What is the BBC's famous mission statement? (Clue: it's three words)

Inform, Educate, Entertain

What is BBC1's programme remit?

BBC One's remit is to be the BBC's most popular mixed-genre television service across the UK, offering a wide range of high quality programmes

How does the BBC News at Six fit into BBC1's remit?

Presenters

Who are the presenters of BBC News at Six?

Fiona Bruce, Sophie Raworth, Huw Edwards

What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience?

 The presenters are wearing formal clothing such as suits for men and dresses for females. This suggests to the audience that they are professionals and that they care about their job.

Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters?

TV news might use a variety of TV presenters because it prevents the channel from looking the same every day and every other presenter has different stories to tell than the others.

How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV news programme?

Other reporters in the programme are used to be journalists and live interviews.

Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?

BBC at Six presenters is all white; there are no black people or no Asian people. This would re-enhance stereotypes.  This would suggest that the BBC is known for being middle classed and mainly white which would fit the white stereotypes.

Running order

Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.

What is the top story?

Tesco loosing £6 billion

How long does the top story last for?

5 minutes and 40 seconds

What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’).

Images/video from the Hatton garden robbery is shown

Paedophile that has targeted babies and children

Europe has to help migrants from other countries more

Election

Migrants drowned in the Mediterranean

Nepal Earthquake

How long is each story shown for?

Each story lasts around 6 minutes. Expect election which lasts around 15 minutes.

Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was?

To give the audience enough information as they need to know and in that time space so the programme can finish on time.

Audience

What is the target audience for this BBC News at Six? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.

The target audience for the BBC at Six is mainly for families and a wide range audience as it is broadcasted at 6.
What are the viewing figures for BBC News at Six?

The viewing figures for BBC news at six are 4.3 million.

Why might someone choose to watch this TV news programme over others?

Someone may choose to watch BBC instead because the BBC use more modern technology which would allow the audience to understand the news more clearer than the other news channels. Also the BBC broadcasts the news differently to other news channels.

Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?

The BBC has a social media and a website where the audience can create accounts and post comments, questions, improvements & complements.

What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer?

Opening sequence
Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.

What is the very first shot?

The very first shot is the channel intro, with moving images and background music

How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience?

The opening sequence grabs the audience’s attention because the tune in the background is catchy and the moving images catch the audience’s eyes.

How is music used in the opening sequence?

The music is used to show rhythm every time the moving graphics change and could be used to show BBC goes worldwide.

How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later?

The audience is told what news will be coming up later in the programme.

Studio mise-en-scene

What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience?

The cameras, microphones, lights above the studio is shown when the camera goes towards the main presenter on screen.

Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?

The presenter is sitting down at first to give the audience what news is coming up and is standing up later to express them more clearly. And that they can use the massive screen to show animated graphics.

Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?

The technology is shown when the camera is moving towards the presenter on screen, this suggests to the audience that BBC that they are about to go live and to show the BBC is using modern technology.

How does the studio use colour?

The studio uses red and white to show some brightness towards the programme and to make stand out.

How news stories are presented

How does the news programme typically present a story?

The programme presents stories by slowly giving details and would use a big screen to add more detail and to show animated graphics such as graphs.

What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)

They use presenter to camera, reporter on location, live interviews, graphics and images. They also interview members of the public to give their opinion.

What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)

BBC covers worldwide news, politics, sport, education & business

Give two real examples of how news stories are presented to keep the interest of the audience.

The way they presented the Tesco loss, BBC at six used interviews with the main CEO of Tesco to give his opinion of the situation, they use modern technology so it is easy for the audience to understand what is happening on screen. This keeps in the interest of the audience as it is easy to understand and to keep up.

BBC at Six used modern technology to present the Nepal Earthquake which killed around 7,000 people; they used drones to get a wide shot to broadcast to the audience and show them the situation as if they were there. This keeps in the interest of the audience as it is easy for them to understand and is devastating news to hear about.

Institution

What other news programmes and services does the BBC offer in addition to the BBC News at Six?

BBC one, BBC two, BBC three, BBC four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC breakfast, BBC parliament, BBC Alba, BBC red button, BBC London, BBC at ten, Newsnight, BBC world news.

What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?

Ofcom is the TV regulator that makes sure all TV programmes follow the rules set by Ofcom, if they refuse; their licence to broadcast will be taken away. However the BBC doesn’t use Ofcom, they use BBC trust which is to make sure the news is reported accurately and balanced.

The BBC has been accused of 'dumbing down' the News at Six. What does this mean? Do you agree with the accusation that the news is 'dumbed down'?

`Dumbing down` is meant by using more modern technology to show the news and making it easier to understand. They also use more animated graphics to make it more understandable.

I agree that the BBC at six has dumbed down their news. But mostly so the audience can understand what goes on clearer. BBC at six is mostly a family programme, so they would use more modern technology to understand the news better.

TV News and New/Digital Media

Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?

No, BBC at six does not have a dedicated website but has an actual BBC news website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

What does the website offer viewers?

They have replays of the shows, pictures etc

Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed?

BBC at six does not have their own twitter feed but they do use the normal BBC twitter

@BBCNews

How does the Twitter feed promote the programme?

They show clips from the episode, stories and from other BBC channels too.

Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories?

Yes, the audience can comment on any post and they can see the other feeds when the BBC post new things on their website. 

Channel 4 Case Study

Basic Details

When is Channel 4 on?

Channel is on Monday to Friday every day from 7:00pm – 7:55pm.

When Channel 4 was first broadcasted?

Channel 4 was first ever broadcasted on the 2^nd November 1982.

Channel 4 awards:

Channel 4 has won International Emmy Awards for News.

In 2004, 2013, 2014 Channel 4 has won the British Academy Television award for the Best News Coverage.

In 1993, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2012 they have won the Affair Journalism award.

What is the Media Institution that produces Channel 4?

The media institution that produces Channel 4 is Channel 4 Television Corporation.

Presenters

Who are the presenters?

John Snow

Krishnan Guru-Murthy 

Cathy Newman

What the presenters wearing? What does this communicate?

 The presenters are wearing formal clothing such as a suit/dress. This communicates that they are professional and high earing wages.

Why might a TV News Programme use a variety of presenters?

TV news might use a variety of TV presenters because it prevents the channel from looking the same every day and every other presenter has different stories to tell than the others.

How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV news programme?

Other reporters in the programme are used to be journalists and live interviews.

Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?

In Channel 4 there are 2 male presenters and 1 female. John Snow & Cathy Newman are white people and Krishnan Guru-Murthy is Asian. An effect on the audience would be that because there is mostly male than female in this programme, females won’t really watch it as there will barley be any feminine news. Black people are not used as a presenter in this programme; this would be a main factor of black people not watching the programme.

Analysing the opening 2 minutes:

Opening Sequence

What is the very first shot?

The very first shot of the opening 2 minutes is the website of the channel.

How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience?

The opening sequence uses graphics such as bright colours and moving images to attract the attention of the audience, so the opening sequence is not one blank screen.

How is music used in the opening sequence?

Music is used as a harmony tune to keep the audience intrigued as the sound is relaxing and calm.

How is news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later?

The audience is told briefly what type of news is coming up and what would be briefly told on what happens.

Studio Mise-en-scene

What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? (Desk, cameras etc.)

The aspects which are visible to the audience mainly are desks and computer screens. The computer screens in the background are most likely always going to be blurred out to keep the main focus on the presenter and the actual studio.

Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?

The presenters are mostly likely standing up so he can engage himself towards the audience more clearly. He can express the emotions/feelings towards the audience and he can get his message out clearer.

Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?

The journalist is clearly shown 51 seconds into the opening of the programme. He is shown telling the news towards the camera. This suggests that Channel 4 will capture live news from the scene. This tells the audience that Channel 4 care about their work and that they are a professional TV news programme.

How does the studio use colour?

The studio uses bright colours to make their studio/programme appeal to a wide range audience. It also makes their programme look better than the other news programme which would have boring colours which makes their programme look dull.

How news stories are presented

How does the news programme typically present a story?

They would give little tastes of what will be told in the actual story before it comes on, such as telling the main bit with not much information. E.G. Bombers strike Pakistan schools. This would make the audience want to continue watching to find out what happens. Also if the news were to be in another country, they would have presenters/journalists there to catch the news live.

What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)

News programmes use different types of techniques to present their news such as live interviews to show the peoples point of views, they use presenter to camera so the presenter can introduce the news they are about to show live. It will make the story more understandable. They also use reporter on location to show the live footages and show the audience what is happening on that scene. They use images to show basic screenshots of conversations between two people or a group of people to the audience, etc.

What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)

TV news programme covers national news most of the time. Such as:

International News
Investigation News

Give two real examples of how news stories presented to keep the interest of the audience.

One real example of a news story that would keep the audience entertained is the Israel and Gaza war. This news was all over the world, this is because two country’s go to war. The way they presented it was dramatic. The way they presented it was the way they would describe how families are dying and buildings being blown up. These types of news would keep the audience entertained and interested.

Another real example of news that would keep the audience entertained is the Pakistan Peshawar school attack. This was all over the news as kids, teenagers; young adults were blown up to bits. They would have presented this type of news in a way that is serious and dramatic. Dreams & families gone within minutes. This would have caught the attention of people all over the world as this is a serious type of news. It will keep the audience interested and entertained for a long period of time.

Running order

Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.

What is the top story?

Top Story:  700 feared dead as migrant boat sinks off Libya.

How long does the top story last for?

2 Minutes & 33 Seconds.

What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’).

The programme covered:

700 migrant’s feared dead as boat sinks in Libya

Police Hunt: Missing family who may be headed to Syria

Holocaust survivor shares nightmares of concentration camp

How long is each story shown for?

Each news programme story is shown for 2 minutes to 4 minutes

Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was?

I think it was shown for the time it was because it would supply the audience with enough information they need or if it’s the amount of news the programme has to offer before they get some more news.

Institution

Who owns, runs or produces this TV News programme?

Channel 4 is owned by Channel Four Television Corporation and it is run by Lord Burns, David Abraham

Does the institution own, run or produce any other TV News programmes, channels or newspapers?

Yes, Channel Four Television Corporation owns, Channel 4, 4Seven, Film4, E4, More4, 4Music, Time shifted Channels and Box Television.

How does the programme fit the TV channel it is on?

It would fit it perfectly as the other channels the corporation owns, has the letter `4` in its name to shown it is run by the same company and would fit it the name `Channel Four Corporation` perfectly.

What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?

OFCOM has to ensure that the news is fair, and good enough for the audience as the audience is paying. They also ensure that the news is not inappropriate for their audience.

TV News and New/Digital Media

Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?

Yes. http://www.channel4.com/news/

What does the website offer viewers?

The website offers the audience, pictures, live footage, live news, social media links, news topics catch up tv etc.

Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed?

Yes, this can be used for any comments, suggestions, improvements the audience can send it if they have any.  https://twitter.com/channel4

How does the Twitter feed promote the programme?

Twitter feeds would help promote the programme by gathering in a bigger audience, and would have main headlines on the page leading to the website to watch it, which would catch the audience’s attention.

Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories?

No. Because peoples news may not be true or biased.