Introduction to Journalism Week 8

This week, we started preparing and going over the specifics for the presentation we are going to do in a matter of weeks. This presentation will be a study into two different publications, comparing and contrasting the ways that they construct and deliver the news and how their demographics differ from one another.

To start with, we are comparing 2 different publications, which can be newspapers and radio stations, and track their outputs on their news agenda and what and how they are writing about. The key is that we are each doing one very upmarket publication and one which isn't so up market. We are to study into how they differ from other outlets and how their news agenda is reflective of their target demographics. Some radio stations are likely to have syndication from other news outlets for their main news headlines from other news outlets, and if this is the case it is best to mention it and study into it more.

The two publications I have been given are The Sun newspaper and BBC Radio York, though this may be likely to a certain amount of change within reason, and so long as it doesn't clash with anyone elses project.

The key is to study the news agenda over one particular day, and specifically why is it constructed in such a way and why they are reporting on specific news stories according to who their demographic is. What is going to be most useful is to find the publications Rate Card, which shows their demographic, their target group index and all other kinds of statistics and information about the publication. Other places to look at are the Audit Bureau of Circulation ("ABC") and the Broadcast Audience Research Bureau ("BARB"). Something else which is useful to remember is that the music bed on the news bulletins helps to define what target demographic the station is trying to reach.

So, essentially, this project will consist of us analysing both of the publications and what or why they print certain stories, get hold of the publications rate card, track the news agendas of the radio station and compare and contrast both of these in a Powerpoint presentation with all facts and figures inclusive.