Observer questions-

 20.1.21

Newspaper industries –ownership and control question: who controls The Observer / Guardian and what are its values?

The Guardian and Observer are owned by a trust set up in the 1930s to protect the  independence of the Guardian newspaper and to keep safe the newspaper’s values.

Press freedom and regulation question: What is meant by 'a free press'? When The Guardian newspaper investigated (and revealed) what The News of The World newspaper had done to get stories, what big changes in press regulation resulted?

Free press means Old Media and Newspapers can campaign on political issues and journalists are expected to be highly critical of those in power. After a long campaign by The Guardian, as having hacked the voicemails of a young murder victim in such a way that her parents thought she was still alive. 

Convergence question: "When newspapers operate online there is technological and cultural convergence." What does this mean in The Observer?

They use headlines, copy and photography but also that television through video and that of social media through readers comments on blogs or each other peoples comments. As Online newspapers will use the traditional language of newspapers.

Newspaper audiences question: The Observer has different sections designed to appeal to different types of readers. Explain this with examples.

The Review consists of more comedic opinion pieces, interviews and reviews of theatre, dance, music, cinema, architecture, computer games, and television listings. This appeals to the culture consumer. This will appeal to more readers as they can all find something they like and be interested in reading. The more sections will appeal to more and more readers.

Uses and gratification question: how does The Observer meet readers' needs for personal identity and social integration?

It meets readers needs as it has all they want, they can read what the want, see other peoples opinions on the newspaper and share to others what they like. Making it easy for the person to understand/ adapt to the ways of the Observer. 

Active/passive audiences question: in what way can The Observer's audience be 'active' ?

They can respond to new articles with a comment, share or a like explaining if they like it or not. Having the audience interact with the website/ newspapers can help the Observer know what the public likes and dislikes.