Analyzing MediaCritical Discourse Analysis

Jill Margerison

Journalistic Discoursethe sourcing and the construct of news is

linked with the actions and opinions of social groups

McLellan 1986

“..human beings collectively and individually create their own reality

in response to changing circumstances.”

What is journalism for?

Entertainment?Manipulation of society?

To sell a product?Propagate views of the powerful?

To help people better understand the world?To bear witness to events?

To warn?

The AudienceWhat kind of audience is

imagined by the journalist?

Consumer?Commodity?

Ethics

1. seeking and reporting truths2. acting independently

3. minimising harm4. being accountable for their work

Objectivity

An objective story can never be one that separates facts from values

Journalists not neutral channels through which messages pass

Lexical Analysis

Analysis of particular words used in a newspaper textWords convey imprint of society and value judgements They convey connoted as well as denoted meanings

Iraq War 2003

Saddam Hussein reported to be a threat to world peace

Iraq War 2003

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Emotive Spin

The TruthMendacity - untruthfulness

Yet Western media not guilt free

True objectivity is impossible

Boeing 777 according to Russian News

Shot down by Ukrainian MiG-29 possibly piloted by Polish pilot

Why would this be an important detail to include? For what reason?

Why is a Romanian expert of value?

Ukrainian news

Ukrainians suggest that the Russians shot the flight down

Eyewitnesses report

Neutral Source?

Which country is not strongly involved emotionally and strategically is not aligned with Russia or Ukraine?

Source from Mexico

El Financiero

Does not accuse either side but leaves judgement more open ended.

jillmargerison@drjmargerisonjillmargerison@jillmargerison jill.margerison@tss.qld.edu.au

http://www.slideshare.net/jillmarg