Media Essays

Text: The Big Issue
Question:Genre

Essay: The Big Issue’s website describes the magazine as ‘A weekly entertainment and current affairs magazine.’ However, this does not signify or highlight this particular magazines ideology. All politics, current affairs magazine have different ideologies. The magazine is factual, political and passionate about the topics and issues that are featured in the magazine. The journalism featured always centred around certain ideologies. For example, the ideology that everyone deserves a change and as a socialist society we have a duty to help those who are most vulnerable, such as the homelessness and poverty stricken. These ideologies are not only seen in their journalism but also in their house style. The front cover is plain and is not bombarded with text. The content is mainly black and white text. Instead of the brands being advertised being centred around consumerism they are centred around brands for better health, help and housing. Each feature will somehow revolve around regional issues with content that reinforces ideologies of certain communities. It is opinionated in its selection of stories but doesn’t tell the reader what to think but encourages you what to think about. The target audience is likely to align with opinion of the article yet the articles encourage the audience to reflect on their own opinions and debate. The feel of the magazine and the production of the low-quality paper shows that this magazine focus ore on substance over style. The production is cheap so that it can maximise money for vendors. This highlights its authenticity as they are not trying to be something they are not. The simplicity of the cover and content doesn’t hide what it is “A combination of hard edged campaigning journalism, entertainment and general interest features.” An example of hard edged campaigning journalism is Exchanging Roles , an article featured in one of the issues. The issue focuses on raising awareness of the stigma surrounding homelessness and that helping others is rewarding. This is linking into the many ideologies of the big issue that focus on trying to eliminate these stigmas. An example of an entertainment feature is “A letter to my younger self”. This is an article by Neil Gaimon which revolves around a celebration of past. The main point in this article is to be aware of the world around you and everything will be okay. To not shut yourself away. The ideology is that people in our liv are who make a difference. A general interest feature is ‘Mane Street’. This feature centres around a street in Manchester that holds six hairdressers. The main focus of this articles is to highlight that all of the companies all work together to support each other and there is no competition between them. This reinforces the ideology of a sense of community and that together we are stronger. It also champions small businesses but not at the expense of others.