HW - News Question 3

Explain how the political context in which newspapers are produced, influences their ownership and regulation. Refer to The Guardian and The Daily Mail newspapers you have studied to support your answer. [10 marks]

The political context of both the guardian and the daily mail have significant impacts in the ways in which they’re owned and regulated. The newspapers political status influences its content, quality, opinions on public issues, but perhaps only to a certain level.

The Guardian is a left wing quality newspaper which supports the labour party. It is owned by The independent Scotts trust, a charity which supports values such as diversity and empowerment. The ownership of the guardian may be influenced by its political support for labour, which also encourages such values. This is seen in almost all of the covers and news stories of the guardian, which address issues relating to diversity or equality. The cover featuring Meghan Markle gives the message of Britain needing to accept ethnic diversity. The guardian also focuses on serious matters such as Brexit, the British education system, making audiences aware of their responsibility as citizens, mirroring the attitude of labour. The daily mail is a popular right wing newspaper, owned by daily mail and general trust which is under the control of Lord Rothermere, its chairman. His support for the conservative party is seen in the content of the daily mail, which often publishes its support for Theresa may , the royal family. Overall, the political context of newspapers significantly impacts its ownership often reflected through the content.

The Political context of newspapers also influences the ways in which they’re regulated. Press Freedom is a core value in the news industry, it gives journalists the freedom to openly support or criticize issues. Newspapers are not owned by a government body making them free to publish without government interference. It can be said that because of press freedom the political context of the guardian and daily mail cannot fully dominate its regulation. This may be why the guardian often publishes its criticism of the government e.g. lack of support for those in poverty. The daily mail openly publishes soft news such as celebrity gossip on its covers. However, despite the existence of press freedom both the guardian and the daily mail are often regulated according to their political status. The front covers of the daily mail almost always supports members of the royal family, and create a moral panic regarding the Muslim population.

Overall, it can be said that the political context of the guardian and the daily mail has a significant influence on the way their ownership and regulation. Although the political status of both newspapers largely influences ownership, impacting its content and opinions, it has limited control over the way both papers are regulated.