To understand the British media is to understand the British. The average Britons relationship with their media is a seemingly incomprehensible mix of loathing, scepticism, and blind devotion.
The enormous print media in the UK is fuelled by the seemingly relentless appetite for newspapers. More than 10 million newspapers are sold every day in Britain covering a spectrum of political agendas and current issues.
Having a basic knowledge of what these newspapers represent will provide you with a valuable insight into British society.
IF IN DOUBT MAKE IT UP
A common accusation made of the print media more than any other medium is that it has a spurious relationship with the truth.
The British newspaper market comprises of 3 sectors: Popular, Middle and Quality. The sector which attracts most criticism is the popular and middle sections. This is primarily because politically they are the most influential.
Popular and Middle daily newspapers like the Sun and The Daily Mail are influential enough to cause concern within government circles. This influence lies in the ability of these newspapers to simultaneously flatter their readerships aspirations and crystallise their fears whilst taking a wide swipe at anybody deemed to be too famous, too quickly (even if they have played a large part in helping to make that person famous).
Another reason for the disproportionate level of influence enjoyed by these papers is that there is a long held tradition within the British media of following the newspaper which contains the most controversial stories and the Sun and Mail fit the bill perfectly with their constant emphasis on populist issues such as immigration, tax and child protection.
These papers are adept at sparking national debates about issues that they feel concern their readership which in turn is guaranteed to increase sales. This routinely manifests itself in the publication of stories which contain little or no truth in the knowledge that the knock on effect of these stories via other media outlets (Broadcast) will generate profile and sales.
BRITISH NEWSPAPERS EXPLAINED
» POPULAR
The Sun
Politically ambiguous tabloid paper with a tendency to back whoever is popular/winning at the time. Currently, right wing populist focused on entertainment and sport.
The Daily Mirror
Labour party supporting tabloid paper (but has opposed them recently in their coverage of the war in Iraq), contains more solid journalism than its rival the Sun in an attempt to be more middle market but still contains a high percentage of celebrity gossip and sport.
» MIDDLE
Daily Mail
Right wing tabloid paper which takes what it perceives to be a moral stance on political and social issues like immigration, abortion, homosexuality, crime etc. It is also the most popular newspaper in Britain with female readers.
Daily Express
Right wing tabloid paper which similar to the Daily Mail promotes itself as a defender of ‘real values’ (family, tradition etc). It is most famous for its coverage of stories involving royalty.
» QUALITY
The Daily Telegraph
Conservative party supporting broadsheet paper concerned with British interest current affairs, social affairs and sport. It contains the most comprehensive sports section of any newspaper, profiling minority sports such as Hockey and Lacrosse.
The Times
The most famous of British newspapers, which has for the last decade held a consistently centre-right allegiance. Generally acknowledged to have the highest standard of journalism of all the quality dailies. Core content is current affairs, lifestyle and sport. It has the most comprehensive coverage of football of any British paper. Tabloid sized.
The Guardian
Centre left Berliner (between tabloid and broadsheet) sized paper and the first quality daily paper to not be naturally conservative in its political alliegience. Its content is current affairs, social affairs and policy, lifestyle and sport. The Guardian is the creators of one of the most successful online enterprises in Europe: Guardian Unlimited.
The Independent
The youngest British quality daily newspaper. Published in tabloid format. The paper is most famous for its front covers which will often be devoted to a single issue. The paper takes an editorial line similar to the Guardian but with a greater emphasis on environmental issue, foreign policy and electoral reform.
The Financial Times
Printed on a distinctive salmon-coloured broadsheet format the FT (as it is commonly known) is a daily business and finance journal which takes a centre-right libertarian line. Its content is business and financial news, current affairs, sport and at the weekends, lifestyle.