In what ways do different audiences respond differently to the same media text?

The Daily Telegraph’s coverage of the London riots was something that was taken in separate ways by the public. The main way people chose their opinions was through news reports. In this essay I will explain the different ways in which the text can be interpreted.

As soon as the audience lay their eyes on the front cover they are greeted with a graphic visual of a lady escaping from a building due to fires in direct mode of address, centre of the page. But, in contrast to the girl being saved from the fires is the headline ‘Rule of the mob’. Considering the fact it’s unusual for a tabloid paper to rely largely on the main cover image this could attract a lot more readers, maybe because they’d think the paper would be reporting the riots in pictures opposed to heavy text based stories. The headline and cover photo could be the main reasons to attract the audience to purchase the paper. This is due to the fact people thinking the riots were an awful, terrifying thing would relate more the title opposed to the picture, were neutral readers wouldn’t have preferences as to whether it’s more relatable to them or not.

This tabloid newspaper is stereotypically aimed for the more knowledgeable reader, possibly from a more upper-class background with a good income. This is because of the price and also the advertisements located directly on the front cover, in this case, Boodles. This is a jewellers aimed at immensely rich people that could afford to purchase their products. The paper is also traditionally a pro-conservative party, so this is stereotypically a north and south divide as to who reads the paper.

The language used in the story is more of a downgrading, demeaning on the type of people involved in the riots. Although it’s still only a stereotypical viewing it’s still reporting that ‘all young people are to be blamed’