Media Language for Tabloids
Media language for tabloids often includes red and white mastheads that connote the 'Englishness' of the paper. These tabloids tend to use powerful and threatening phrases in their copy to create dramatic and exciting stories. Emotive and binary headlines are also common, appealing to a reading age of 7 with large images, simple headlines, and a small amount of copy for escapism. The Sun, for example, uses the strapline "For a Greater Britain" to convey a patriotic and positive message at a cheap price, targeting a C2DE demographic.
Examples of Tabloid Newspapers
The Sun is a prime example of a tabloid newspaper that aims to make Britain better, portraying a patriotic and luscious green countryside with a red and white masthead. The content is designed to appeal to a democratic audience, offering a choice and size of white vita typography and a montage of British iconography. However, The Sun's poor reputation in the northern areas, particularly among Remain voters, indicates a divide in its audience based on geographical and political factors.
Influence of Social Media on Brexit
Social media played a significant role in influencing the Brexit campaign, with platforms like Twitter being used for pro-Brexit messaging. The content of The Sun's website, for instance, appeals to a demographic supportive of Brexit, with its patriotic and positive messaging, immigration, and national pride. This aligns with the tabloid's pro-Brexit stance and demographic targeting.
The Sun's Pro-Brexit Stance
The Sun's pro-Brexit stance is evident in its content, with headlines and imagery appealing to a patriotic audience supportive of leaving the EU. The tabloid's portrayal of the southern areas of Britain as traditionally conservative and supportive of a hard Brexit contrasts with its poor reputation in the northern and more liberal areas.
The Success of the Brexit Campaign
The impact of the media, both traditional and social, on the success of the Brexit campaign cannot be understated. It influenced public opinion and voter behavior through its powerful and dramatic language, evoking emotions and appealing to specific demographics. The Sun's influence, in particular, is seen in its ability to shape perceptions and attitudes toward Brexit, contributing to the success of the campaign.
