The copy of the article in The Sun on page five makes it seem as though Gary’s press conference in Regent’s Park was so unnecessary that even police chiefs were getting berated for supporting him. As well as this, the opening sentence from the copy again suggests his press conference to be nothing but an outrageous stage act. It goes on to describe his departure from Bristol prison and later emphasises the fact he only served “HALF” of his “unconditional” sentence. Alongside the copy is a picture of Gary standing, facing the floor with his arms resting down in front. The caption below it describes Gary as a “Weirdo...in a wig” rather than a more necessary alternative for example a pitiful or resentful man. This suggests that The Sun is trying to represent Gary as an eerie peculiar person as well as an alleged child sex offender. On the opposite side of the copy there is another picture but of Gary with his arms out in front as if to say calm down. The caption below it reads “Arrogant…pervert turns conference into sick parody of stage act.” Again The Sun is suggesting that Gary is putting on some sort of performance whilst also accusing him of being arrogant. The Sun seems to be deliberately misrepresenting Gary and is trying to influence the readers to dislike him.
The article reported by Nick Parker appears to show a similar layout as in the article on page five of The Sun. The top heading of the page uses white-on-black technique and says “Stomach-Churning,” which suggests this article is somewhat sickening or disgusting. In the headline alongside the copy Gary is described as “evil” and he is apparently supposed to of “strutted out of jail showing no shame”. Just above the copy it says, “Nick Carter watches a revolting performance”. Just like page five of The Sun it suggests Gary’s press conference was a rather horrible stage act. Throughout the copy there are three sub-headings. The first describes Gary as “Odious,” which is basically the general perception of him and arguably his deserved description. He is then also called a “Swagger,” which suggests insincerity and a shameless attitude. The third sub-heading seems to be trying to say he is not “ashamed,” as when he is asked the question he refuses to answer. Gary’s press conference is repeatedly described as a “dramatic sickening performance” throughout the copy and Gary himself is expressed as a “ludicrous, bizarre, arrogant pervert”. As like in page five of The Sun this article clearly represents Gary as an odious person who shows no remorse for his paedophilic porn disgrace.
The layout of page seven in The Guardian shows a different approach as to those on the previous articles. There is a large photograph that shows Gary with reporters and police around him but at a different angle than to those photographs on The Sun’s articles. The angle is at a long shot, which shows his whole body. It shows him looking lonely and isolated, which suggests he isn’t as much the centre of attention any more and this creates a sense of pity for him. The caption anchors its meaning and we’re lead to believe Gary is sorry and sincere. The headline below the photograph supports this. The use of the words “Nervous,” and “apologetic” evokes the sense of pity for him.
The first paragraph of the copy describes his career as a “distant memory” and his car as an “ageing Mercedes.” This reinforces the sense of pity for him. In the second paragraph Gary’s wig is described as “outlandish”. He is also said to be “unsteady on his feet” which could all suggest he is lacking confidence. Unlike in the other newspapers here it notifies of how the reporters at the press conference attempt to manipulate the event. He smartly “refused to give a thumbs-up sign” as it would most likely be used in a photograph against him. As Gary appeared to be about to make a statement the media are described to have “scrum surged around” him which suggests the medias hunger as if it were a game. As he is leaving the press conference it is reported that his face is “hidden” behind blacked out windows and his car is also described as a “scruffy H-reg”. This again reinforces the sense of pity for him. The representation of Gary is clearly distinctive between the two different newspapers. The two articles by The Sun present a moderately false perception whereas The Guardian gives a more honest and elaborate account without deliberately misleading the reader. The Guardian also has quotes from Gary about how he regrets and wishes to move on, but The Sun fails to produce this in their article which supports my suggestion of their intentions of misrepresenting Gary.
By Edward Cox