Q4 Analyse the representation of musicians

Analyse the representation of musicians in Extract 1, which is from MOJO Magazine. 


The magazine extract uses a simple colour palette of monochrome colours and uses white and brown writing with an accent colour of red. This use of colour connotes a serious tone towards the magazine and the artist Nick Drake. This is further supported through the decision of the editor presenting Nick Drake in black and white with his head covering the title of the magazine which once again shows seriousness and respect towards Nick Drake.

The magazine has quite a masculine feel to it, partly due to the colour scheme used. The masculine feel is also portrayed through the other artists discussed, including Nirvana and Krist Novoselic. All of these artists or bands are male dominated which suggests that the world of rock is male dominated and enjoyed by a male target audience, which is further reinforced by the monochrome colour scheme and capitals for the coverlines.

This feeling of masculinity is further reinforced by the choice of language used in some coverlines. Phrases such as 'Krist Alive!' and 'war and peace' connote a sense of struggle or a battle to live shared by many of the artists covered in the magazine; use of words like these are stereo typically male.

Finally, MOJO magazine is challenging the stereotype that music is dominated by younger artists as it is representing 'authentic' music as being the domain of the older, more established artists such as Nick Drake.

OBSERVER Q9

'The representations featured in the online Observer reflect its values and beliefs'. How far do you agree with this statement?

The Observer and the online Observer are publications that sit towards the left of the political spectrum and as a result concern themselves with values and beliefs that are more socially liberal and not usually sensational in their content. The online Observer shares their values, they aren't prepared to voice their opinions, they discuss worldwide news rather than just the UK and they also discuss politics and international affairs. Something else they also do is featuring women who are in empowerment which many people around the world enjoy reading about.

Firstly, the online Observer doesn't just discuss news within the UK, but all around the world. In the extract given to us, we as a reader see that there have been articles about US immigration, Saudi dissidents who can finally voice their opinions and also an article about Jamaica. This connotes that the Observer want to discuss international affairs rather than things just within the UK which many other newspapers do.

Next, the Observer also includes diverse and inclusive articles. It is obvious that they are interested in all sectors of society as in the article given to us, health, NHS, diseases, people mourning and many more. This represents all of the voices of the unheard which connotes inclusiveness and seriousness to insure every topic is discussed.

The online Observer also isn't afraid to tackle difficult issues. For example, they mention death, brexit, bullying and other difficult issues to discuss. This connotes that they have a robust understanding of all sorts of issues and are prepared to discuss them.

Something the online Observer does too, is value culture just as much as hard views such as politics. For example, mentioning of Saudi Arabia and Jamaica signals that the Observer understands all cultures which connotes they value culture and other countries.

Therefore, the online Observer evidently reflects all values and beliefs even if people don't agree with them.