1. To what extent is it correct to
claim that the quality
newspapers largely separate
fact from opinion?
A presentation by Zehraa Patel, Laura Stack, Jake
Johnson, George Robinson and Veronica Sprizzi
5. “Burmese spring
“Virgin Atlantic
Hopes of fresh start as
investigates „secret tip-
Suu Kyi‟s party
offs‟ to paparazzi” The
declares victory” The
Guardian, 6 April 2012
Guardian, 2 April 2012
“„A good man‟:
“Fear of „witch-hunt‟
tributes to Athens
will stop doctors
pensioner who killed
training for abortions”
himself in protest at
The Guardian, 2 April
austerity” The
2012
Guardian, 6 April 2012
Conclusion
To what extent does the Guardian
separate fact from opinion?
6. Abortion training Burmese spring
Pro-choice views Suu Kyi support
• “witch-hunt” • cheers
• “under siege” • young and old
• “deeply • sang along
concerned” • victory
Does the Guardian give balanced
accounts on its debates?
7. Virgin Atlantic – suggestive phrasing
• the exchange suggests a longstanding and friendly
relationship…
• BUT checks by the Guardian confirm that…
Burmese spring – depiction of country
• brutal military junta
• dusty roadside villages
• unpaved, bumpy roads
• reintroduction of Burma to the rest of the world
Do the Guardian’s sources provide
appropriate evidence for objectivity?
8. • Virgin Atlantic spokesperson
Virgin
• Employee involved
Atlantic - • Big Picture founder
sources • Private lawyer
Greece • “…he was a gentleman, a good man.”
• decent, dignified man
suicide - • “He was clearly very educated…”
victim profile • “He was an exceptional person…”
What else suggests the Guardian
attempts to maintain objectivity?
9. Balanced Range of Minimised Objective
account sources subjectivity reporting
Fact Opinion
To what extent does the Guardian
separate fact from opinion?
