A further two photographs appear directly beneath Mr Bond; one of the police station, in Durban where he was held, and the other a photograph of his three children. Both photographs are in colour and approximately 3" wide and 2" long, in size. The reason behind these two photographs is so the reader is given an insight where Mr Bond was held, and too see the look of pain and disbelief, on the faces, of his children.
A sub-heading occupies the top left hand corner, which summarises the whole story. Emotive words have been used, “Victim,” and “Theft,” to attract and engage the readers’ attention.
Different styles of typography have been used across the whole page. For example, a bold print dropped capital letter, one inch in size, at the beginning of the opening paragraph, to draw the eye of the reader, to the introduction, and not browse over the story to the end.
Directly beneath the photograph of fugitive, Derek Sykes, alias Derek Bond, a different style of typography has been used, to show a comparable section in which comparisons are made between, what Mr Bonds family claim, and what the FBI claim is true. This has been highlighted by the use of a sub-heading in red bold print. In addition to this, bullet points have been used to divide the statements.
ANALYSIS
DAY ONE – THE DAILY MIRROR
The coverage of the story also began on Wednesday 26th February 2003. The story was placed on page nineteen of the newspaper, in contrast to The Guardian where the story was placed on page three. This means that The Guardian, considers the story of rather more importance, than The Daily Mirror.
Two totally different headlines stole front page coverage, firstly, “Is Richard the No 1 VILLAIN in TV soap history?” Secondly, “MUTINY- 100-plus Labour rebels to defy Blair over Iraq.” This is typical of a tabloid news headline; TV soap is given priority over the Iraq crisis.
The story began with a bold print capitalised headline, “THE NAME’S BOND ...” The letters are one inch in size. The headline is similar to The Guardian, but leads the reader on to the next part of the page.
The typography of White on Black has been used to highlight two sub-heading statements, which are as follows: “Is he a toupee wearing $4.8m fraudster and one of the FBI’S most wanted criminals……Or a balding 72-year-old wine-tasting Rotarian who lives in Bristol?” Each statement has a letter size of half an inch, and is placed in a 3" squared black box, creating maximum effect of the WOB.
Directly beneath the first statement is a round photograph of fugitive Derek Sykes, in black and white, 3" in diameter. The photograph used by The Daily Mirror, is identical to The Guardian, but is scaled down in size and a different shape. In addition, a photograph of Mr Bond is placed directly beneath the second statement. Basically, this reveals who, The Daily Mirror thinks is the real, and false, fugitive.
Furthermore, a photograph of Mr Bond’s children appears beneath the main headline, which is black and white, and 2" squared in size. The photograph is different to the one used by The Guardian; it’s in a different place, and in addition is not posed. It seems to have been taken by chance, rather than with consent from the family.
ANALYSIS
DAY 2 - THE GUARDIAN
By the following day, Mr Bond had been released as the FBI’s mistake was acknowledged. The story on day 2 is given front page priority. A sub- heading in red bold print is placed as a footnote; the footnote reads, “Good news for Mr Bond,” followed by a brief summary, and the reader is directed to page 3, where the story continues. In addition, to the footnote a cartoon caption appears next to the directional pointer, which is sarcastically laughing at the incompetence, of the FBI.
Turning to page 3, the story continues and is supported by two feature articles, firstly one on the FBI, and secondly an article on how easy it is to commit identity fraud.
The bold headline in ½" letters, “I couldn’t eat, sleep or read for worry, says Briton after 20-day jail ordeal.” Directly beneath the headline, a central feature colour photograph, of a tearful Mr Bond, looking physically drained and emotionally shattered. In addition, he is being comforted by his wife Audrey, who too looks shattered. The photograph is 8½" wide and 7½" long. The sheer size of this photograph makes the reader feel pity, and sense the anguish that Mr Bond and his family have experienced.
Every picture tells a story, and in contrast to the day one photograph in The Guardian, which portrays Mr Bond as a healthy well dressed family man; the photograph on day two portrays a dishevelled Mr Bond, who has encountered a ghastly ordeal.
ANALYSIS
DAY TWO – THE DAILY MIRROR
The story continues on page 27, along similar lines to The Guardian. Mr Bond has been released, and The Daily Mirror uses the same photograph as The Guardian, to portray a tearful, and shattered, Mr Bond.
The photograph is black and white print and measures, 7" long and 5" wide. A strap- line across the top of the page reads, “PENSIONER’S TEARS OVER FBI SHAMBLES” bold print typography and capitalised letters have been used for effect.
Directly beneath the strap-line a sub heading, White on Black reveals a direct quote from Mr Bond, “I had to sleep on concrete with no light. I didn’t eat for 3 days. I think the U.S owes me more than just an apology.” This is a different quote, in contrast to The Guardian. Furthermore, the quotation The Daily Mirror, chose to highlight, presents a new angle to the story. This quotation gives the impression; Mr Bond intends to sue the U.S for wrongful arrest, and imprisonment.
Two further photographs appear firstly, Mr Bond’s daughter Gillian; the photograph is circular in shape, and 2" in diameter. The photograph shows her smiling and relieved. The second photograph features Mr Bond’s friends at the Rotary Club. They are shown celebrating his release. Both photographs are in black and white print.
ANALYSIS
DAY THREE – THE DAILY MIRROR
Friday, 28th February 2003. Coverage continues with the headline, “BROKE BOND.” Directly beneath the headline is a sub heading, which continues on from the main headline, and reads, “Suspect in court after FBI nail wrong man.” Two different types, of typography have been used here. Firstly, 1" capital letters, in bold print for the headline, to draw maximum attention. Secondly, a bold print, underlined sub heading, this summarises the story.
This particular headline and sub heading change the emphasis of the story. The story continues about fugitive, Derek Lloyd Sykes. This creates a new news angle, and informs the reader that the real fugitive has been arrested.
Two small black and white photographs appear at the top right hand side of the page, measuring 1½" squared. Firstly showing the real fugitive, directly beneath is Mr Bond. These two photographs were used on day one, of the story in both newspapers.
No further coverage of this story is reported after today.
ANALYSIS
DAY FOUR – THE GUARDIAN
Saturday, 1st March 2003. After no news report appeared a day earlier, The Guardian followed up the story with a new angle. A bold print sub- heading reads, “Mbeki apology for jail ordeal.”
The Guardian had decided to report on the apology to Mr Bond, from the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.
A colour photograph of Mr&Mrs Bond, measuring 6" squared, covers most of the article. This photograph was taken, when they arrived home in Britain. It clearly shows the relief on both their faces. Furthermore, it reveals Mr Bond is a shadow of his former self.
No further coverage of the story was reported after today.
CONTENT – COMPARISON
THE GUARDIAN - THE DAILY MIRROR
Day one, The Guardian chose to start the opening paragraph of the story by outlining the back round to Mr Bond’s family holiday, focussing on where they were travelling.
It wasn’t until the third paragraph that his arrest was mentioned. In addition, the 4th paragraph reveals the 4.8$ telemarketing fraud.
In contrast, The Daily Mirror mentioned the arrest in the first sentence, of the first paragraph. The fraud was mentioned in paragraph two.
The distinct difference of the ordering of information is clearly that, The Guardian chose too create a profile of a retired, well-educated, professional and similar to its readership, to engage interest. In comparison, The Daily Mirror chose too use simple emotive language from the onset, creating no profile of Mr Bond, and just referred to him as, “A BRITISH pensioner.”
The Guardian devotes 95 column inches to the overall coverage of the story, compared to The Daily Mirror, which had a total of 33 column inches. This clearly shows that The Guardian, provided more in depth analysis of the story, and rated its relevance as hard news highly.
Both newspapers reported the story in a personalised manner, for example, referring to Mr Bond as Derek; in addition they referred to the members of his family by their Christian names.
The Daily Mirror, deliberately used sensationalism in their writing, to arouse strong emotion in their readers, for example, the first sentence of the second paragraph on day one reveals, “Derek Bond 72 was held at gunpoint.”
In contrast, The Guardian wrote on day one, “police officers singled out Mr Bond, and took him aside,” this clearly differentiates from the statement above.
Mr Bond’s family, and friends were directly quoted, in addition too the FBI and The British High Commission. The quotations used by both newspapers were mostly the same, from the FBI, and The British high commission; For example, please refer to the yellow highlighted quotations on day one, of each newspaper.
Furthermore, the quotations from Mr Bond’s family were different. For example, please refer to the pink highlighted quotation, on day one of each newspaper.
The Daily Mirror has clearly published only half of the direct quotation, from daughter Gillian. In contrast The Guardian has given the full quotation, with clarity, and gives the reader a sense of what she is feeling.
LANGUAGE- COMPARISON
THE DAILY MIRROR – THE GUARDIAN
The Daily mirror uses emotive words throughout the story. Day one, has several for example, “WANTED,” “ARRESTED,” “FAMILY,” “FRAUDSTER,” and “GUNPOINT.” Day two, “JOY,” “TEARS,” “EMOTIONAL,” “SLAMMED.” Day three NAIL, FREED. Moreover, “NAIL” and “SLAMMED” are examples of colloquial language, commonly used by tabloids.
Furthermore, tabloids tend to use simple language and shorter sentences, to suit its readership. For example day one, eleventh paragraph states, “A photo of a man resembling Derek appears on the Interpol website.”
In contrast, The Guardian states, “A photograph of Sykes, also known as Bond,
was circulated among law enforcement authorities around the world last march. It warns that he may be dangerous.” The Guardian uses more sophisticated language, and complex words for example, superficially, extraordinary saga, furious, bespectacled, intercept, intervene, languishing, which indicates a higher readership level than, The Daily Mirror.
The Daily Mirror uses typical journalistic techniques, on day three the headline “BROKE BOND,” is an example of punning, alliteration word play, plosives and, an ellipsis. “THE NAME’S BOND….” Is another example of a play on words.
The tone and style of The Daily Mirror, has been subjective and critical against the FBI. Furthermore, they have been sympathetic and supportive towards Mr Bond.
In contrast, The Guardian is more objective and non committal until Mr Bond’s release, and then they were more critical of the FBI, in addition more supportive to Mr Bond.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the educational profile of The Daily Mirror, compared to The Guardian, is considerably lower. The reason for this is simply the differential style, and use of sophisticated, and simple language, in the contents of their individual newspapers.
Both newspapers have reported the same story very differently. As a reader my preference would be The Guardian; as I feel thorough investigative journalism has been undertaken, in addition it’s good value for money.
