Q.10 We analyse how broadsheet newspapers reflect the time and
historical contexts in which they were published. We have three covers to study.
The Observer 30 October 1966
The Observer 6 November 1966
The Observer 20 October 1968
In the exam, you refer to one specified example, such as the Observer front page of 6 November 1966.
The Observer 30 October 1966
The Observer 6 November 1966
The Observer 20 October 1968
In the exam, you refer to one specified example, such as the Observer front page of 6 November 1966.
Exam q.10
'Explain how broadsheet newspapers reflect the time and historical contexts in which they were published. Refer to the Observer front page from 6 November 1966 that you have studied to support your answer.
In your answer you must also refer to relevant media contexts.' (10 marks)
Examiner's mark scheme is below:
Historical social contexts
the persistence of gender inequalities and traditional gender roles and how they are reflected in broadsheet newspapers, for example in the 1960s is reflected in female exclusion from all news about politics, the law, and the economy (but inclusion in relation to ‘Knitted fashion’) on the 6 November 1966 Observer front cover.
Historical social, political contexts
the influence of government and politics on social issues, for example, such as marriage and divorce, which is illustrated by the prominence of the 1966 lead article on reform of divorce laws reflecting attitudes towards the importance of marriage as an institution.
Historical cultural contexts
The impact of multiculturalism on society and how this was reflected in broadsheet newspapers, for example this is reflected in the all-white ethnic representation of the 1966 front page, which learners may note is very different from the ethnically mixed representation today.
Examiner's mark scheme is below:
Historical social contexts
the persistence of gender inequalities and traditional gender roles and how they are reflected in broadsheet newspapers, for example in the 1960s is reflected in female exclusion from all news about politics, the law, and the economy (but inclusion in relation to ‘Knitted fashion’) on the 6 November 1966 Observer front cover.
Historical social, political contexts
the influence of government and politics on social issues, for example, such as marriage and divorce, which is illustrated by the prominence of the 1966 lead article on reform of divorce laws reflecting attitudes towards the importance of marriage as an institution.
Historical cultural contexts
The impact of multiculturalism on society and how this was reflected in broadsheet newspapers, for example this is reflected in the all-white ethnic representation of the 1966 front page, which learners may note is very different from the ethnically mixed representation today.
We note the relative lack of a celebrity culture in the
1960s compared to today due to the smaller range of media
available to consumers and how this is reflected in broadsheet
newspapers, for example the large number of ‘hard news’ stories
on the 1966 front page.
Historical political contexts
We note that the importance of the political context to
the news agenda has stayed relatively steady over the years and
of interest to readers, for example, this is reflected in the three
articles taking up approximately half of the 1966 front cover,
including:
- o a 1966 disagreement over joining the Common Market.
o the 1966 article about Russian spy planes.
o a 1966 lead article on reform of divorce laws (social, political);
and
o the article on US politics indicated inside the newspaper.
