Analysing Bias and the Construction of Reality in 'The Times' and 'The Daily Mirror'

  • Bright Red masthead which identifies it as a tabloid
  • Barcode not visible on this side of the paper
  • Caption used in the skyline to show another devastating event
  • Headline written over the Main Image
  • This edition is made specifically for the election in America
  • There is a standalone in the skyline of this paper
  • The lead story is very clear here
We can see here that there is a political bias, and the most obvious part of this is that there is a bias by headline. The headline here is trying to suggest that something bad has happened, and therefore shows a bias against Donald Trump. We can also see a bias by the photo that they used, which is of the statue of Liberty seemingly crying. This provokes their audience to show that America should be ashamed for voting Trump. 
  • There are small captions used in the image in order to present the voters as happy
  • The headline here is "America's Brexit"
  • Page numbers in black boxes in corners
  • The page furniture here is all suggestive of the vote in America
  • There is a folio here in capital letters
  • This page is an example of a centre spread
  • There is no gutter as it is a centre spread
You can clearly see a political bias here because the mode of address and the choice of lexis within the article and the captions for the photographs. Another way bias is shown is through placement, because not only have they placed a negative quote over a picture of americans celebrating, but they have also used another small article with Hilary Clinton in order to show their views on the election. One audience response here could represent what sort of people voted for Trump, however they could show how the people are angry. There are also a lot of American stereotypes here, for example the patriotic American in the suit as well as the one in the dungarees. There is also a low angle shot of Hilary Clinton with her chin up, showing how she could be powerful and successful.

  • Their masthead is much more sophisticated, showing a more educated audience 
  • There is a headline with a caption to show how people should feel positive about the election
  • The main image is spread over both pages
  • There isn't a lot of page furniture
  • There is a barcode on the bottom left of the paper



I feel that here there is a bias through selection and omission, because they have specifically selected as they are quotes which make Trump look successful, for example the caption "New World". There is also a bias through the photograph, because the American flag suggests that America is strong as well as the fist that Trump is holding up. The American flag here symbolises patriotism. There is also a reassuring quote from Trump, and it is then repeated in yellow. It is also very specific and personal, with the word "you" and "your" within the quote. It is also really assertive and commanding. 














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