Ideologies and Viewpoints - L8

Naturalisation of Viewpoints and Ideologies

• Barthes discussed how certain viewpoints and ideologies become naturalised so that they seem normal and natural to the audience. 

Analysis of Media Language

One of the online Daily Mail's Mastheads for a story reads, "Meghan Markle had no contact with her father Thomas for two years despite claiming to know he felt 'harassed and exploited' by press, High Court hearing is told" and this implies from the tone of the statement, that the Daily Mail are feeling accusatory toward the Duchess of Sussex, as they use straightforward, sharp language such as 'despite' and 'harass.' The blunt nature of the writing,"had no contact" does not put Markle in anyone's favour, as there is no sympathetic or softer tone that hints that she is not to blame. 

Another, "'We're not talking to you anymore': As thousands die and Britain fights for its economic life, LA-based Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce they won't deal with the country's most popular newspapers." 

-The fact that they have started with the quote from them, almost makes it seem accusatory and blaming.

- Very dramatic use of language, "thousands die and Britain fights" conveys a hint of absurdity and confusion from the Daily Mail, that they will not even talk to the press. 

- Labelling themselves as the "most popular newspapers" creates a sad show of importance, as if the Daily Mail should be spoken to, rather than written off.