Newspapers - Industry and Audience :)

IPSO

• Separate body from the government (freedom of speech/free press)

• Press needs to be free because of democracy

• Hugh Grant - “[like the press] marking their own homework.”

• Can they be trusted?

• Is the press really free? (Concentrated ownership…Murdoch…)

Times Newspapers (subsidiary of News Corp)

A global conglomerate with many subsidiaries which seem to be ever changing. They have companies which produce Newspapers, Magazines and even TV Programs.

Vertically and Horizontally

It means that the company has eliminated a lot of the surrounding competition by buying out neighbouring companies that produce a similar product. It also means that they have more money and resources at their disposal/that can be shared around.

The Newspaper industry is failing because of modern technology (phones and internet access). There is less of a demand for print news (newspapers).

Diversified into online news with a paywall. The paywall suggests that the company offers high quality news that remains reliable…but it could also put some viewers off (risk and reward).

Man who owns 175 newspapers around the world. Extremely rich and powerful. Conservative (influence over his papers). Whoever his papers have backed during a general election has become Prime Minister. Concentrated ownership.

Claims to be centrist (Times have a diverse range of journalists with different political leanings), however its always backed the conservatives during the general elections.

Reach PLC (150 different news sights)

They stand as a lone, left wing voice in a right wing industry.

Demographic of UK are largely Right Wing (smaller target audience). Risk their number of sales. Suggests they aren’t doing it just for profit and power but they believe in their messages.

Vertically and horizontally

Diversified into regional news, moved to online news (without the paywall) and started social media.

Lone, left wing tabloid.

Lower middle-class/working-class readership

• Advertising space online

• Premium rate phone-lines (horoscopes, lottery winners etc.)

• Betting website

• Dating section

• Comments section

• Paywall to website

• Puzzle/Quiz section

• Sponsored section

• Link to podcast

Vary depending on their target audience.

Mirror = tesco, aldi, lidl

Times = M&S, Waitrose

Involved the News of the World newspaper (Murdoch paper). Hacked into Milly Dowler’s phone (missing and murdered school girl) and many others’ phones in pursuit of stories. Question of regulation and malpractice?

Public access to the inquiry. “Press are deeply corrupt”, “Wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people.” Involved victims like McCann family, Steve Coogan, Jk Rowling, Piers Morgan, Hugh Grant etc. IPSO was set up in response.

• Formal title, clean cut layout, professional (front cover).

• Sign up/paywall, tick boxes for preferences around articles, reminders to visit the page in emails.

• Online crossword, reminders sent if left unfinished.

• Cultural/sport sections on the website

• Competitions featured where you can win money/holiday (working class audience)

• Gambling/betting feature on website and call line to get betting advice

• Hyperbolic representations of how bad the conservatives are (front cover)

• Feature articles about the labour leaders/party (positive)

• Articles on benefits, struggle with money etc.