»Love It or Loathe It« : Audience Responses to Tabloids in the UK and Germany

Popular newspapers like the British »The Sun« and the German »Bild« regularly invite controversy over their morals and methods, power and responsibility, political and social impact. At best, their reporting is rejected as trivial, vulgar and tasteless; at worst, it is deemed hazardous to the workings of democratic society. Yet, the papers are able to attract large audiences, and contribute significantly to the daily lives of millions of readers. This book looks at popular newspapers from an audience point of view. Examining the crucial relationship between news and entertainment, it provides timely empirical evidence for the values tabloids really have for readers and modern day Britain and Germany. Contradicting common myths and stereotypes, the book calls for fresh perspectives on the popular media and their audiences. With a foreword by Peter Dahlgren, Lund University, Sweden. Contents Acknowledgements Foreword Chapter 1: Introduction. Studying Tabloid Reading Cross-Nationally Background Contexts Book Outline PART I: TABLOIDS FROM A CROSS-NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Chapter 2: Similar Phenomena. Aspects of the British The Sun and the German Bild Profitable: The Sun & Bild as Commercial Enterprises Controversial: Historical Events involving The Sun and Bild Distinguishable: Editorial Characteristics of the Tabloid Press Conclusions Chapter 3: Differing Contexts. Media Systems & Journalistic Traditions in Britain & Germany Press History Press Laws Press Markets Professional Traditions Conclusions PART II: TABLOIDS IN THE ACADEMIC DEBATE Chapter 4: Theorising Tabloids. Approaches to Popular Newspapers Implying Detrimental Effects: Traditional Approaches Turning to ‘The Other’: Alternative Approaches Conclusions Chapter 5: Milestones Revisited. Building on Previous Audience Studies Providing the Ground Newspaper Audiences in the Spotlight Tabloid Newspaper Reception Conclusions PART III: TABLOIDS FROM AN AUDIENCE POINT OF VIEW Chapter 6: Methodology. Planning, Devising and Carrying out the Research Comparing Nations: Conceptual Framework Devising the Tools: the Research Design Linking Principles and Practice: the Research Experience Reaching Conclusions: the Data Analysis Conclusions Chapter 7: Balancing Tensions. The Politics of Reading Tabloids Trivialising Tabloids: the “Light Entertainment” View Scrutinising Tabloids: the “Flawed Journalism” View Endorsing Tabloids: the “Social Value” View Dismissing Tabloids: the “Ideological Imposition” View Conclusions Chapter 8: Fostering Engagement. The Participatory Potential of Tabloids Access to News A Currency of Communication Spaces of Negotiation Conclusions Chapter 9: Managing Identity. Tabloids as Tools for Social Belonging Rehearsing Nationhood: ‘the Trouble with this Country’ Flagging Nationhood: Socially Accepted Contexts of Patriotism Belonging and Distinction: Notions of Status and Class Conclusions Chapter 10: Tabloid Modes of Engagement Reading Popular News The Tabloids’ “Negotiative Space” Subtle Distinctions: Cross-National Differences Looking Ahead: Future Perspectives Bibliography Appendix: Focus Group Guide (English version)

Popular newspapers like the British »The Sun« and the German »Bild« regularly invite controversy over their morals and methods, power and responsibility, political and social impact. At best, their reporting is rejected as trivial, vulgar and tasteless; at worst, it is deemed hazardous to the workings of democratic society. Yet, the papers are able to attract large audiences, and contribute significantly to the daily lives of millions of readers. This book looks at popular newspapers from an audience point of view. Examining the crucial relationship between news and entertainment, it provides timely empirical evidence for the values tabloids really have for readers and modern day Britain and Germany. Contradicting common myths and stereotypes, the book calls for fresh perspectives on the popular media and their audiences.With a foreword by Peter Dahlgren, Lund University, Sweden.

Long description: Popular newspapers like the British>>The Sun< >Bild