2.Look at the language that has been used to describe the celebrity. Language can be used to represent celebrities in a certain way, language can manipulate audiences to promote certain values or attitudes towards a certain celebrity.
The transmission of a message through language encodes values into the message. It has its own emotional and cultural loading.
In their representation of celebs, tabloids often use an informal, familiar approach and 'tabloid tags'.
Women are often referred to as 'girls'. Often women are referred to in terms of their marital status, 'police arrested the wife of...', 'Prince Charles' mistress'...
Motherhood and the role of mothers in society are often commented on. Consider the coverage of Madonna's adoption process.
Often their behaviour is reported as being childlike, 'showed off', 'upstaged' with connotations of female rivalry.
Where they are actiing more positively it is often against their own bodies and emotions-
'fights annorexia...', 'battles depression...'
Homosexuality is often reported with hostility
'committed a lewd sex act...', 'caught with his pants down...' - suggests farce.
Word choice is a powerful tool for establishing idealogical stance, beliefs and prejudices of a society can be reinforced by language use.
Have 'tabloid tags' been used in your editions?
These give more description about the person but also anchor the way they are being represented, eg 'sad Kerry' -refering to Kerry Katona going back into the Priory hospital.
3. Research the readership figures for your tabloids and compare them to broadsheets, how does daily coverage compare to Sundays?
4. Look at the PCC's code of practice, how does it relate to the representation of celebs?
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