The Times

• The Times newspaper is a British national ‘quality’ newspaper, first published in 1785.
• Referred to as a broadsheet newspaper
• The Times has been published by Times Newspapers since 1981, a subsidiary of News UK which is wholly owned by News Corp
• The Times adopts a more neutral position compared to the explicit political allegiance of the tabloid press. However, it does have a right-wing allegiance and supports the Conservative party at key times, such as when there is a general election
• Famous for having a range of journalists with varied political viewpoints which allows the newspaper to offer a more neutral and balanced political stance on some issues
• The set edition was published on February 1st, 2022 and focuses on the report into the investigation into parties held at Downing Street while the country was under lockdown restrictions.
• The Times reflect the social and cultural contexts of the time in which they were produced as it largely targets a ABC1 demographic with cultural capital and an interest in news and analysis in detail. This demographic is targeted through the news values of the paper, the selection of stories and how particular social groups and issues are represented
• The choice to focus on this particular story also reinforces a common theme for this newspaper – to accurately present the news and its effect on society.
• The newspaper’s plug also reflects a cultural context with a lifestyle focus intended to broaden the appeal of the newspaper
• The Times was first published in 1785 and is part of The Times newspaper group which is a subsidiary of News UK.
• News UK is a British-based, American owned newspaper publisher, and a subsidiary of the American mass media conglomerate News Corp.
• News Corp is a newly formed company that concentrates on newspapers and publishing. The company was formed following a split from News Corporation, a powerful conglomerate with interests in film and broadcasting in addition to newspapers and publishing.
• The company has demonstrated a predominantly right-wing political allegiance with The Sun newspaper, backing the Conservative government in recent elections. However, The Times has maintained a more neutral stance.
• News Corps did own 'News of the World' but ceased production following the phone hacking scandal of 2011.
• Was one of the first companies in the UK to introduce an online newspaper but also introduced paywalls requiring readers to pay a subscription to use the site. This was introduced in response to the fall in print sales within the group.
• In 2016, The Times and Sunday Times launched a combined website and moved away from a rolling news to an edition-based digital format, updated three times a day to match the reading patterns of their audience more effectively.
• In 2020, News UK launched Times Radio in an attempt to increase the take-up of digital subscriptions for the newspaper. However, The Times continues to have a higher reach in print sales than online
• Part of a regulatory framework known as the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
• IPSO is an independent body which is not backed by the government and is fully funded by the industry itself
• Curran and Seaton - Power + media industries

  -The Times is part of a horizontally and vertically integrated company and subsequently a large conglomerate, which could limit or inhibit creativity and journalists’ freedom

  -However, by having a more diverse pattern of ownership could create conditions for more varied and adventurous media productions
• Livingstone and Lunt - Regulation

  -The Times and News Corp as well as the rest of the UK press industry, face an increased pressure to adhere to strict rules and regulations on industry practice, arisen after the phone hacking scandal

  -There's an underlying issue of protecting citizens from harmful or ‘fake’ material while maintaining choice and the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing and injustice through journalism.

  -The increasing power of companies like News Corp and their expansion into digital media has also placed traditional approaches to regulation at risk
• Hesmondhalgh - Cultural industries

  -Part of vertically + horizontally integrated company with a range of titles on offer in order to maximise audiences and minimise risks

  -Reach of News Corps spans a range of different cultural industries enhancing their global power

  -The Times can benefits from access to other cultural industries as they are financially protected and can benefit from production and promotion
• The Times largely targets a ABC1 demographic with cultural capital and an interest in news and analysis in detail. This demographic is targeted through the news values of the paper, the selection of stories and how particular social groups and issues are represented
• Predominantly over 35 with a liberal/ right-wing stance
• Well educated + middle class audience take on interest in national + global affairs and can understand + engage with detailed political reporting
• Appeals through its content and inclusion of hard + soft new items
• Launch of edition - based digital format and targets a broader audience + understanding
• Selection and combination of images + language constructs a subtly negative representation
• Use of the phrase 'Drinking culture' constructs a negative representation
• Construction of representation of the event positions the audience to consider the facts about the event, which are presented in an informal way
• Unlike a tabloid newspaper, the representation of the event and Boris Johnson’s role in it is more implicit.
• The inclusion of the ellipsis creates an enigma suggesting that there is more to be seen in the report.
• Stuart Hall - Reception theory

  -The front page of The Times produces meaning through the language used, by using recognisable signs that will be interpreted by the audience, for example, headlines, image choices, language, and mode of address

  -These choices contribute to the construction of the event and encode meanings that are to be decoded by the audience
• Layout + design is conventional of a broadsheet, quality newspaper (Text led)
• Central image is a close up of BJ with an indirect mode of address -> Expression shows some trepidation of what is to come as he goes to the commons
• The chosen photo suggests that he does have questions to answer, whilst not criticising him
• Plug contrast with the seriousness of the main image
• Lion + unicorn are symbols appearing of the heraldic crest and slogan 'Dieu et Mon Droit' - Dates back to King Richard the 1st -> Reinforces the longevity and traditional values of the newspaper
• The paper has a formal Mode Of Address throughout
• Compact and detailed text: subheading are not generally used to split up stories in sections -> suggests readers are comfortable with detailed info and analysis