Crime Articles in Local Newspapers

Within all newspapers crime seems to be a mainstay as it is a subject that all be can pay attention to as it intrigues them how people can behave in disgusting ways as well as giving them an insight in to the ways that people behave not only in your country but your community as well. I found an example of a crime story to look into as it is one of the main stories that feature within all newspapers. There however there is a difference between the articles on crime in a national and local newspaper, with a national newspaper only focussing on the extreme crime happenings like murder while the local newspaper also considers the minor criminal acts in comparison such as theft. I found a good example of this in the 'Kentish Gazette' where there is a criminal act reported about a small theft on a shed in which '£3,000' worth of equipement was stolen. Not only is it small in comparison to national stories the criminal is yet to be caught this example shows exactly how the stories differ with the smaller criminal acts included in the local newspapers as the readers of the national newspapers want to know about the big news of the day while local papers deal with events concerning the community which could also affect them.

Whether a person has been found  guilty for the criminal activity affects the way the article is written even if they are a suspect it changes the way you can approach an article with stronger language and a more definitive view on what happened if someone was convicted. The writer if writing about a convict is likely to show the criminal in an as strongly opinioned article as possible this often includes imagery making the criminals look bad, as you can see from another article from the 'Kentish Gazette' on a couple of convicted criminals for 'robbery' and 'violence'. The imagery in this example makes them look very bad showing negative body language and appearance that brings a negative view. The language is also changed with quotes such as 'Drunk's racist tirade lands him in jail' and 'poured out torrent of racial abuse'. In comparison the language used for a suspect is a lot more unopinionated as in the eyes of law they are not yet guilty.

Alternate Area the 'Kentish Gazette' Analysis

First impressions of the front page of this in comparison to the other newspapers I have analysed is the basic format in comparison to the Post with a low amount of text featured with quite a lot of imagery. This could be due to the story of the edition I looked at which seems to be a very strong headline which could figure as a very big deal within the local community therefore the reason for dominating the page with the headline 'SCUMBAGS'. Again there is the similarity with the advertisement at the bottom of the page which seems to be the most populare thing to do. The website is also featured within the front page but not nearly as heavily advertised as the Post does which could be due to the the size of the community in which it covers therefore needing to try harder to appeal to its audience. The skybox is featured on the front page similar to other example of newspapers I have anlysed although in a slightly altered position just beneath the head banner or the flag as it is also known as. There is also an inside section to the right hand side which helps readers get an insight into the features when they look at the page which is something other newspapers do.

Old Edition (Sep 22, 2011) of the 'Bristol Post' Comparison and Analysis





I am using this example of an older edition to analyse and compare the older editions of the newspaper to how the newspaper has changed in appearance now. The most obvious changes compared to the modern editions is the branding of the newspaper with an obvious revamp done to the brand to try and reinvent itself. This is done through the change in it name formerly known as the 'Evening Post' now the 'Bristol Post' and the disappearance of its former logo. There are some aspects that bring its similarities such as the skyboxes at the top of the page just a little altered featuring additional content in this example a 'Entertainment guide' and a 'Motors supplement'. Advertisment is also pushed to the bottom right side of the front page like it is today trying to limit the advertisements intrusion. One of the key aspects you notice is the advertisement differnce for technology and in specific their website. In the newer additions of the newspaper the website is clealry shown within the front page with a statement in the bar claiming to have 'south west website of the year' which they are clearly proud of and hope that it appeals to their audience. In comparison to the older edition where the website makes no appearance on the front cover of the newspaper which is a big difference and change in focus compared to the older copies.

Modern Alternate Local Newspaper 'Somerset Times' Analysis

One of the first aspects you notice when you look at the front cover is the advertising that runs along the bottom of the page. This seems to be a mainstay in local magazines with adverting running along the bottom of the page for the additional income needed to afford to publish the newspaper. The advertisements are likely to be placed around the bottom of the page due to the content being the first thing you read on the page which is limits the detraction of the reader. Another aspect similar to the post is the head banner at the top which consists of the data some additional info to the right with a bar running along underneath the title. The issue number and the price is normally within this banner and within the example within the bar is some references with page numbers of content. The colours of the newpaper also shares its similarities to the Bristol Post with its similar colour scheme with blue the main additional colour used which is important as it needs to be simplistic and neutral. The website is also advertised on the front page at the bottom this shows that most newspapers will advertise and have an external website for an extra source of information. The content is very much focussed on the events of the community with several stories such as 'arson' which relates to the local area with 'child counselling' featuring as the main story this strengthens the link with the concerns of the family and how they will be effected due to certain events meeting the interests of the audience of a local newspaper.

Here is the first two pages of the same edition of the newspaper to help show what my second page could look like. The stories you notice immediately when you look at the first few pages is the minor stories and headlines to what you may be accustomed to with the national or even a bigger regional newspaper.

Modern Local Newspaper 'The Bristol Post' Analysis

This is an example of one of the Newspapers I have analysed for my research. It is called 'The Bristol Post' and is one of the biggest newspapers in the west of England. This is a modern addition of the newspaper which means it brings brings certain new conventions to the previous older copies.The certain features that have changed is some of the branding as well as a more heavily advertised technological association with the newspaper with, the website being heavily advertised as the 'best website in the west'. This is likely due the more technological reliance of recent times. This is something that would have to feature within the local newpaper that I create. Another one of the conventions I noticed on the cover is the advertisement to the bottom right of the page. The is the primary source of income for a local nespaper which is why there is some advertisement at the front as that would require a premium therefore giving them more money. Skyboxes/Ears are another standard convention for the Posts newpapers. These are advertisements at the the top of the page which advertise several things inside the newspaper. Examples of these are offers such as for petrol, advertisements and contents. This creates more links from the front page to what is inside and is a common thing to do within local newspapers. Additional contents within the newspaper is also given a big proportion of the front cover this advertises the addtional inclusives I could use this as well to advertise the poster that would need to be done as well.

The picture above is an example of the first couple of pages within the same edition of the post as the example above. This is to help contribute to the creation of the second page of the newspaper that I will have to make to go alongside the front cover. The way the Bristol Post have done this they have designed it so that the second page is done as a double page spread in conjunction with the third page. This is a different format compared to some of the other newspapers and how they set it out and I will be only doing the second page. The way it is layed out on the double page spread is interesting with many stories provided on the double page all very well seperated out with stories starting on one side and leading on to the other. The two stories with pictures are placed to the centre of the spread with additional articles to both sides, weather to the left and the advertisement to the bottom right side. The colour is also another noticeable change from the front cover with a change in blue made that covers the top of the page.The stories covered include a Z list celebrity opening a baby unit politcs, youth actions arson/attacks and Joanna Yeates after her murder.

General Newspaper Analysis

Newspapers

1.    What are the conventional features of a local newspaper front cover?

Some of the standard local newspaper conventions are the following:

• Title for the newspaper at the top left or centre

• Some adverts do appear around the bottom of the front page

• Headline story in bold

•  Other ways of contact advertised like their website

•  One main picture

• A person or group of people normally feature on the front page

•  Pictures may relate to a different story compared to the main story on front page

• More than just one story featured
 
• Two main colours to accompany the white background you get on the paper

 

2.    Who are the different audiences?

The dominate audience who read the local newspapers seem to be people of a certain age who, pay attention to the community they living in and the happenings going on. This is generally older people around the age of 40+ as they are generally quite settled within the community and perhaps have their own family which may also be affected by the events of the community.

 

3.    Why do they read local press?

They read the local press due to the interest with the community around them as any stories may affect them or their family. Due them generally being more likely to have settled down at this time they feel more like a long term part of the community than another time which they may have felt separate from the community and less likely to show an interest in what is happening around them. The youth is generally considered quite ignorant of these kinds of things with the community.

 

4.    Which groups are typically portrayed in local papers?

The main groups portrayed in local newspapers are members of the community who have done a particular good deed. The people portrayed are similar to its audience with the majority of features of featuring similar people with family also playing a huge part within the regional/local newspapers. Family loss also is also sometimes being a part showing how it affects the community as a whole and that the loss is not only felt with the family. This is what readers want as it people just like them in the community and it is what its audience wants to read about instead of news that may not concern the area.

 

5.    What are the differences between local and national newspapers?

There is a lot more advertising featured within a local newspaper compared to a national newspaper. This is due to the smaller local newspapers needing additional finance and does this by generating advertising income. The content/ stories are also very different with the national newspapers looking not just at the national news but the world news as well, while the local newspapers focus on the events within the local area specifically which leads to less dramatic headlines and stories. Local newspapers are more likely to cover positive stories such as achievements compared to national which are often negative stories.