Representation Case Study

Oscar Pistorius charged with murder

The ingredients of this news story mean that we can consider it on a number of different levels. the event itself issues Oscars disability; his celebrity status gender (murder of a model girlfriend) nationality South Africa and its reported culture of violence

Tabloid: Daily Mirror

How has this representation been selected, constructed and anchored? Why has it been created in this way/how is it being used? Is this a typical representation in this context? What issues and debates surround this representation?

Textual Analysis and News Values: The Pistorius story takes up of the page and the headline dominates; it is given the biggest typeface, signifying that this is the most interesting story for the intended audience. The horsemeat scandal is given a small section of the page (the text anchoring the somewhat humorous image of a horse) alongside two puff pieces: a 10 free Bingo play and a, larger, puff on a soap opera storyline. Focus is on entertainment and celebrity. The narrative seems to be that of the fallen hero. The well-known nickname of Blade Runner has been changed to Blade Gunner and deliberately sensationalistic language has been used: hero; screaming bust up; the mention of weapons. This meets the values of surprise as well as bad news. The focus is on the celebrity, Pistorius, with his girlfriend referred to only as a lover and model. This reliance on celebrity and sensation to appeal to the readers is typical of tabloids.

Representations: Main headline is sensational and emotive, as are the bullet points above which tease further detail. The juxtaposition of Valentine shooting of lover creates a sense of tragedy; screaming bust up is shocking; no sign of forced entry creates an enigma, as does the mention of weapons by his bed. This detail also creates a question mark over Pistorius innocence (he was initially reported to have mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder). These are all designed to attract the target audience to the main story. The images of Pistorius present a juxtaposition: the inset image represents him as the perfect athlete, active and victorious. The tagline (Gold star: hero in action) anchors this representation. The second inset shows him as part of a happy couple, smiling. The main image represents him more negatively. His head is lowered and covered with a hood; he does not meet the cameras gaze: along with the anchoring text of bowed, this suggests shame and/or possible guilt. This photo is anchored by the sensationalistic text next to it, creating a strong sense of intrigue and enigma. Is Pistorius a hero or a murderer?

Broadsheet: The Daily Telegraph

How has this representation been selected, constructed and anchored? Why has it been created in this way/how is it being used? Is this a typical representation in this context? What issues and debates surround this representation?

Textual Analysis and News Values:

The main headline, indicated by the largest typeface, is the horsemeat scandal but the Pistorius story takes up half of the page, with a full colour image. The only images on the page are related to the Pistorius story, indicating its importance to the target audience. The main story is relevant to the British public and takes a political stance, mentioning the Prime Ministers response. The other stories are also relevant and political: councils and tax; police scandal and a more lighthearted piece about drugging fish. An advert for Sony features at the bottom of the page. This news agenda is dominated by the power elite: politicians, police, and those who control the global food market. Pistorius is part of this, occupying the role of celebrity as indicated by the text 2012 stardom. The image is almost a followup piece, continuing the narrative of the Olympics and Paralympics. This creates a British link for the target audience. Entertainment is not as important for the target audience of the Telegraph as it is for the target audience of The Mirror.

Representations: The wording of the Pistorius story avoids sensationalism but he is referred to by his nickname Blade Runner, which suggests celebrity, and uses the juxtaposition of from 2012 stardom to murder trial to create a link to the constructed narrative of his life story. The reference to 2012, along with the image, positions the audience to admire Pistorius. The image is shot from a low-angle, suggesting power and dominance, and he is pictured within the context of a moment of victory, arms outstretched and chin held high, reminding us of his star power. The text united disabled and able-bodied sport anchors the image in positive terms, as does the caption wins 400m gold, reminding us of his global significance and presenting the story as a follow-up to the narrative of the Olympics. From 2012 stardom to murder trial creates an enigmatic juxtaposition. It balances the importance of his success and status alongside the event of the murder. The smaller text avoids sensationalism. Bad news is present but in a less sensational way. A smaller inset image of Steenkamp acknowledges her role in the story but she is not the focus of the article.

Your Turn!

A consideration of gender: Sydney Morning Herald online article

Textual Analysis and Representations: Reeva Steenkamp is the main image, but she isnt even named. Headline refers to her as a model girlfriend but no name given. Significance of headline: Online headlines include every term that someone might plug into a search engine to find the story Which means the journalists here dont think anyone would be searching for Reeva Steenkamps name. Why is that?

Here are the mentions of Steenkamp herself throughout the 736 word story:
South African police have charged Olympic amputee sprint star Oscar Pistorius with the Valentines Day murder of his glamorous model girlfriend, but played down reports she was mistaken for a burglar charges of killing 30-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp The blonde was shot four times Steenkamp, once a FHM magazine cover girl The last 383 words are about Pistorius colourful private life full of model girlfriends, guns and fast cars and his achievements as an athlete. Article #2: A day of love for everyone: model tweeted before being shot dead in home of Pistorius The leggy blonde model tweeted that Valentines Day should be a day of love for everyone. Instead Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead in the home of her boyfriend, paralympian superstar Oscar Pistorius, who was charged with her murder the glamorous South African celebrity The freckled blonde who appeared in scanty bikinis on magazine covers and sashayed down fashion ramps

Compare with the Daily Telegraph online article:

Textual Analysis and Representations:

Although Steenkamp isnt mentioned in the caption, the main image is the person charged with the crime (as is the case with every crime story, unless the victim is an attractive woman). The headline mentions Steenkamp by name and the article includes the following details about her:
PARALYMPIC superstar Oscar Pistorius has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend who was shot inside his home in South Africa, a stunning development in the life of a national hero known as the Blade Runner for his high-tech artificial legs Reeva Steenkamp, a model who spoke out on Twitter against rape and abuse of women, was shot four times Police have played down reports that Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp thinking she was an intruder, saying they had dealt with domestic incidents at his residence and will oppose bail Pistorius was at his home at the time of the death of Steenkamp earlier reports that Steenkamp may have been mistaken for a burglar by Pistorius did not come from the police Capacity Relations, a talent management firm, earlier named model Steenkamp as the victim of the shooting.

So, what do you make of this?

http://www.channel24.co.za/Ne ws/Local/UK-tabloid-leads-withgratuitous-Reeva-pic-20130215

Day 2 any changes?

Why such a focus on Pistorius tears? (News values?)

Focus on S. Africa

Front page news for one paper. Not for the other. Why?

What is the narrative of this headline? What are the news values?

What representational issues are present here?

Day 3 how has the narrative changed? Why?

Day 4 different representations? What news values are present here?

How is the audience positioned by these headlines and images? Representations?

What news values can you identify? What representations?

Bail is granted: headline news or not?

Why has the Sun featured this as a main story when the Mirror didnt? How does their take differ to the Independents?

Look at the tabloid headlines on the following slides. In the absence of any new events, how do they keep the narrative of the event going?

How do they represent it?

[Gender consideration: what is the significance of referring to Reeva and Pistorius?]

How does this Time magazine cover change the representation of this image (taken before the murder of Reeva Steenkamp) from its initial, preferred reading?
What representations are present? Consider: disability the murder itself nationality celebrity any other issues