As part of the class, I am required to analyze and put my own thought and learned skill of media analysis and discourse, that has been discussed in class, to an article of news and critique it myself. Keeping in mind the "Circuit of Culture" theory.
The article of news that I will analyse is:
Representation: This is how the news piece is re-presented to us the, viewers/readers. So straight away we see the image. It depicts the Greek police in riot gear with flames all around them, so clearly pointing to the fact that there is unrest within the article before even reading the text. That is a big indicator to the article. The reason this picture was chosen was to clearly signify the problems within Greece. Using this picture, I would say they pulled it off very well, and that's before even reading the text. But to us, the reader, it was to instantly signify that something is wrong here, there is civil unrest and that its not a safe or peaceful place to be. The article was absolutely aimed at Ireland/UK readers, because after the opening paragraphs depicting the protesting/riots, there was consequences aimed at this side of the EU, stating what would happen, if Greece didn't implement the austerity. It has a bias against Greece, the language used seems to almost condemn them, and comes off as if it is their fault that the EU is like the way it is.
Identity: The Story was published Sunday evening, after the protests the night before, by the Guardian UK. The Guardian is a long running (well over a century) daily, national newspaper in the UK. Their newspaper is second most popular online newspaper website in the UK.
Production: A written article, made with the UK in mind, stating consequences etc. I don't believe there is bias toward any group within the text, but there is certainly a sensationalized feeling from the article of the protesters. The article makes out that Greece is so brave to "defy" the protesters and pass this bill, almost blaming the protesters for what has happened. In much the same way as Enda Kenny a couple of weeks ago, when he blamed the people of Ireland for causing the economic downturn in the country. I think there is far too much emphasis put on heavy words like "Apocalyptic", and referring to Greece as a "War-Zone", a bit dramatic of course. But I guess that's what grabs peoples attention. Its a wonder why the Guardian didn't have a video for the story to go alongside, as other news websites had footage of the protesting that night. While reading, there was a definite sense of urgency, there was pace to the article, perhaps by the author proclaiming that the austerity measures had to be signed now, or the EU is doomed. This was the style of approach in my opinion. I can understand that the author has to use over the top statements and language to hype the Greek situation, because so much is happening in Greece, do people still follow up on it, do people even care about it? There is only so much you can hear of something before it starts to lose its effect and peoples attention start to wander.
Consumption: Meaning that the consumers reception of the intended meaning could be blurred by their lived culture and background. For this, I mean, what would a Greek person living in England and after reading this, think about the article. Would it fill them in, would they be upset that their country is being depicted as this. And it may not be exactly how it is in Greece, possibly popularizing the protests, because people do associate protesting with a violent nature now, and I think that the lines of protesting and rioting have been blurred due to recent (2 years) media attention on the matter of protests, eg. The London riots. The article was definitely intended to be consumed by a British audience.
Regulation: Of course it is unacceptable for riots in any country and culture, and it seems to be happening on regular basis in Greece, unfortunately. Who wants to walk down the street in fear of violence and rioting as imagined from the article). Its a tough situation for Greek police, as who is peacefully protesting and who is rioting.
All I know is, Greece wont be getting the revenue through its tourism that's for sure.
All this talk of fire and brimstone reminded me i had a pizza in the oven downstairs (burnt to a crisp).
ReplyDeleteGood piece. The article definitely comes across as 'hell on earth', with the violent image and extreme words. The Guardian clearly sees Greece as the worst place in Europe right now and a scary example of how it can all go wrong. It depicts in country in civil war almost.