News paper news story research

 Create ONE blogpost that you return to and update weekly. Call it 'Newspaper news story research'. Then, each week you need to visit the MailOnline website and the Guardian website and choose one story from each to summarise and share. 


Most importantly, you need to do the following on your blogpost for each story...
  1. Copy the headline, date and link.
  2. Briefly summarise the story in a sentence or two: is this is an example of hard news or soft news? Does it reflect the politics or ideological stance of that newspaper/website?
  3. Explain in a sentence how or why this story appeals to the audience of that newspaper (use media terminology and theory if you can). Is it quality journalism or an example of clickbait?
We'll be sharing our stories as a starter each week and this will ensure you build up a range of stories from both CSPs to provide examples to use in exam questions and essays. 

Week ONE

Daily Mail

Andrew's face of shame - 19/02/26- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15575407/Andrew-released-custody-Shamed-former-Prince-walks-free-police-station-arrested.html

  •  Hard News: he was detained by officers during an 8am raid of his home on his 66th birthday becoming the first royal to be arrested in modern times because he shared sensitive information to Jeffery Epstein. 
  • Political: The Daily Mail being right wing with conservative values are often supportive of the royal family and the juxtaposition seen when talking about the King and Andrew reinforces this. 
  • This appeals to the Daily Mail audience who would be concerned with the royal family.


The Guardian

Trump officials plan to build a 5000-person military base in Gaza, files show - 19/02/26 - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/19/trump-gaza-military-plan

  • Hard News: the Trump administration is planning to build a military base including bunkers and warehouses in southern Gaza. A small group of international construction companies are interested and have been shown the area. The article refers to the Board of Peace as legal fiction. 
  • Political: The comment about the Board of Peace may show that they are against the Trump administration. 


WEEK TWO

Daily Mail
 
Lin and Megan Russel's Murders were two of the Uk's most brutal. 24/02/26

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/crime-desk/article-15535375/Lin-Megans-murder-one-UKs-brutal-reinvestigated-30-years-notorious-killer-frame-Welcome-CRIME-DESK.html

  • Hard News: Mother and daughter were battered to death with a hammer in 1996. It is a factual and serious topic. It was done by a drug addic who has a history of hammer attacks.
  • Ideological stance: There was no mention of politics or ant obvious view political mention, just a report of a non-political incident.


The Guardian

Mandelson released on bail after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. 24/02/26

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/23/peter-mandelson-arrested-on-suspicion-of-misconduct-in-public-office

  • Hard News: Mandelson has been released on bail after his arrest over claims he committed misconduct in public office during his friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The former ambassador to the United States was seen returning home in a taxi and letting himself back into his London home at about 2am on Tuesday.
  • Political: It is about a politician 



WEEK THREE

Daily Mail

Iran rejects Trump's ultimatum and launches new strikes..... (02/03/2026)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15605589/us-israel-iran-trump-war-live-updates.html


  • Hard News: It is about a a conflict between trump and Iran which led to bombs and fatalities.
  • Political: It is a rejection of negotiation and submission to the US

The Guardian

Explosions heard in Gulf cities and Jerusalem: ...   (02/03/2026)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/02/us-israel-war-iran-live-updates-attacks-strikes-tehran-lebanon-beirut-hezbollah-dubai-latest-news

  • Hard News: It is about conflict in the middle east such as bombs, fighting and fatalities
  • Political: This is more from the POV of The middle east whereas the Daily Mail was on the POV of the US/ Trump


WEEK FOUR

Daily Mail

Brits urged to drive less as pump prices 'head for RECORD highs'...   (09/03/2026)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15627715/Panic-pumps-feared-crude-oil-prices-leap-barrel-day-UKs-gas-store-vulnerabilty-exposed.html

  • Hard news: It is about a policy that will effect every citizen with a car
  • General stance: A reporting of current economic decisions.

The Guardian

Starmer warns of bigger impact on economy the longer Iran war continues  (09/03/2026)

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/09/keir-starmer-uk-gas-oil-prices-100-petrol-energy-inflation-latest-news-live-updates

  • Hard news: Speaks about the economical impact on war will have on the UK
  • Political: It is about war and politics

WEEK FIVE

Daily Mail  (17/03/2026)

Meningitis B is the strain behind cases in Kent, health agency confirms: Race to contain outbreak amid fears it was spread by vapes

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15653061/Meningitis-B-strain-outbreak-cases-Kent-health-agency-vapes.html
  • Hard News: Many students died due to this outbreak.
  • Ideological: Just a report on them any deaths happening

The Guardian  (17/03/2026)

Middle East crisis live: Israel urges evacuation in south Lebanon ahead of attack; strikes on US embassy in Iraq

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/17/iran-war-live-updates-news-israel-trump-strikes-us-embassy-baghdad-strait-of-hormuz-middle-east-latest
  • Hard News: About making Lebanon citizens evacuate and run to avoid an air strike.
  • Political: Presents Lebanon as victims.

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