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Comparative analysis of BBC News vs. The Guardian
The internet “has been called the greatest advance in communication…nearly every national magazine…has a Web site” (Foust 2009:1). Online journalism is competitive, and to be successful websites have to be able to meet user’s needs on the Web. The five key elements of online journalism will be analysed: design and layout, SEO (search engine optimization), usability, interaction and content features on the BBC News (2010, a) and The Guardian (2010), referred to as BBC and Guardian, identifying whether user’s needs are being addressed and how, with examples.
Design
“Once users arrive at a page, they can usually figure out what to do there” (Nielsen 2000:164). Design helps a user know where they are and what the website is about. The home page discussed by Nielsen (2000) is often the first page a user sees therefore the use of a prominent logo helps explain a website. “BBC News” and “Guardian.co.uk” are at the top of the page with two navigation bars below (categories). A user quickly establishes both pages are online news websites and with (ten +) categories each site shows extensive depth. The BBC home page features the iconic world logo, reflecting “core values” (Allan 2006) which as a PSB is to inform, educate and entertain. The BBC’s established ‘world image icon’ used in the media (newspapers/television) communicates its journalism content; worldwide and ethos orientated. In contrast, Guardian does not have a representational image but a distracting advertisement banner (content features).The four principles of design are unity, contrast, hierarchy and consistency, Foust (2009). Unity is achieved through a basic design on Guardian and BBC. The top navigation bars are used as users are “comfortable with it” (Foust 2009:107). A recognisable layout means an enjoyable experience for the user and the website subtly appears unified through its simplicity. Foust (2009) suggests that web pages should have the most important information readily available at the top of a page (hierarchy); the two websites use this format. The article picture of the day is featured at the top with news lower down following importance. The most important news at the top means a user does not have to scroll down (usability).
Contrast in BBC and Guardian is shown through the layout of text and colour. The BBC uses red, brown and blue to divide sections of the news on the front page, whilst Guardian focuses on red, blue and grey. The affect of colour contrast is the same for both websites- allowing users to distinguish the different sections and the colours continuously relate to both webpage’s intentions (Foust 2009). On a connotative level, the colours represent patriarchy (UK flag) therefore users assume both websites offer British based/focused journalism.
Hierarchy of articles is established from top to bottom (highest- lowest) with various image sizes. One large image on each homepage, (BBC, snow pictures and Guardian, Wikileak photograph), then a variety of other size images below offers a “visual hierarchy” to users (Wolk 2001:113). A variety of headline sizes and six column sections of news and nesting of frames adds complexity to layout (Robbins 2006). The hierarchy makes users consider newsworthiness of articles (interaction) and consistency of design reassures users that articles are credible.
Usability
A website’s success relies on usability, “users experience usability first and pay later” (Nielsen 2000:11). Linking effectively helps usability: structural- pointing to other levels of a site, embedded- offer more information and associative- related pages (Nielsen 2000).
The BBC mainly uses structural and associative links with related pages to other BBC articles and structural links navigate users to different areas on the website. In contrast, Guardian frequently uses embedded links to external websites/data to provide more information (substance). When external links are embedded within BBC articles too many lexis are used as hypertext anchors, “in the journal Antiquity, an international team said“ which opposes the advised amount, 2-4 lexis that are easy to scan (Nielsen 2000). However the BBC can manipulate users by shifting attention away from anchors and keeping users on the BBC website.
Gunter (2003) observes internal links in websites to ‘its’ own news stories (audio/video/text) enhances news operation. The BBC uses internal links “Related stories…Iplayer” to encourage users to remain within the website which can be restricting. However as long as a user is informed about “the rhetoric of departure” and “arrival” when clicking an external link, and can relate to their new context, external links can provide depth and offer users different points of view (Nielsen 2000:66). The Guardian uses external links to give users alternative views, information, and loyalty is created “By setting up layers of information into which you can drill for more detail, sites are adding value for which either people may be prepared to pay or to which they will return” (Webber 1998: 234).
Both websites cater for people with disabilities, with text enlargement, printing options and accessibility “statement” or “help” available at the bottom of all pages and highlighted colours relate to the section a user is viewing (Nielsen 2000: chapter 6).
SEO
Users may not see the home page (design). Salwen (2005) discusses people using a search engine when using the web first then unintentionally discovering news through results. To increase SEO, page titles and headlines must be easy to understand and contain simple key lexis, as search engines “merely try to match words” (Foust 2009:93), therefore key lexis should be used in order to feature (highly) in search results.
BBC and Guardian are well established websites so their results frequently feature highly in results, however, headlines still need to be clear, Guardian “PM signals school sports rethink”, BBC “Rethink over school sports cuts”, as otherwise search engine users will not follow the link.
Nielsen’s study (2000:223), on users using the ‘search’ button on websites showed “half of all users are search-dominant” emphasising the importance of the button and results in fulfilling a user’s need. The search button on the Guardian offers searching in three categories: on the Guardian, contributors or Google (external) and refined in five areas with associative links. However, the BBC only offers users BBC areas (internal) to search, with interactive elements being offered, video or Iplayer. The results show page abstracts – between “150 or 200 characters” to ensure users can scan abstracts easily (Nielsen 2000: 233). However the page abstracts on Guardian are paragraphs whereas the BBC uses 2-3 sentences. The search results from the BBC in comparison to Guardian shows users are provided with more accessible amounts of information, manageable page abstracts.
Interaction
Interactivity on Guardian and BBC allows users to feel a closer proximity between themselves, journalists and the text, the “audience has the ability to enhance journalistic output” (Wardle and Williams, 2010:795). The BBC offers sections “have your say…your pictures…your story” allowing users to become involved with the website or “get in touch” via the telephone. In contrast, Guardian offers blogs where users can ‘freely’ post comments, “comment..discussion..feedback..job..dating” Thurman (2008) discusses that users are allowed to post without pre-moderation (unique quality of Guardian). The lack of moderation does raise issues about objectivity; however the Guardian overcomes this with guidelines for users.
BBC presents a selection (controlled), of user’s images and stories on their website, making users feel valued. The Guardian however encourages feedback and comments from ‘registered’ users which creates proximity (relationship). High interactivity opportunities on a website can increase usage and promotion, whilst “editors understood that secondary benefits existed as user-generated content initiatives could provide a source of stories and content for stories” (Thurman 2008:154). Interactivity is also beneficial for the user- creating a relationship, and to journalists of the website retrieving information/sources.
Content
Writing on the web needs to be easy to scan, with short paragraphs, bulleted lists and as mentioned before using hypertexts (usability) to split up information (Wolk 2001: Nielsen 2000). Nielsen (2000:111) uses “one idea per paragraph rule” with clear titles and plain language headlines. Guardian and BBC use plain language for headlines but Guardian makes more use of bullet points to present facts/information, and on average, uses more hyperlinks. The legibility (font size, background and colour of both mediums) contribute to (Wolk 2001: 91) “chance that a user will stay on a story”. The Guardian and BBC are aesthetically pleasing with use of white space and fonts. Guardian uses clear fonts, sans (‘Commercial’ 2004) and BBC’s font, Gill Sans is highly recognised (BBC, 2010b).
Media offers commentary and mood setting to Guardian and BBC pages. Animation is seen by a user’s peripheral vision on Guardian, (Nielsen 2000), with an advertising banner on the home page informing users that Guardian is linked to marketing and selling whereas the BBC is funded by users (PSB). Guardian pages use a range of audio, video and emotional images whereas BBC use mostly informational/graphic images and sometimes video and audio (Foust 2009:173). The range of images offer personality whilst reflecting the reporting type and content, therefore users feel BBC offers less emotion and uses images to present a factual account. Videos on BBC play automatically unlike Guardian, which also, intentionally, makes a user stay on that web page.
Foust discusses accessibility (2010) in chapter twelve, Guardian and BBC make their websites accessible “users can access information anytime” by providing settings for phones, Ipad and articles can be embedded on other interactive platforms “twitter”.
Overall the two websites make good use of the five key elements. The layouts of both websites are informative with maximum SEO in the content so that search engines can retrieve the articles. The usability and interactivity are used effectively but Guardian uses more external links and involvement focusing on the user-website relationship. The BBC’s involvement is community orientated relating to purpose, PBS.
In conclusion the BBC is the most accessible with its design, SEO and content, however Guardian provides more depth in interactivity and usability. The two websites are two successful journalism websites but from analysis of features, they could both improve different elements to increase traffic.
References
Allen, S., 2006. Online News. Berkshire: Open University Press.
BBC, 2010a. Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ [Accessed 1 December 2010]BBC, 2010b. Do typefaces really matter? Available from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10689931 [Accessed 3 December 2010]Commercial Type, 2004. Commercial type. Available from:
http://commercialtype.com/about [Accessed 3 December 2010]Foust, H, C., 2009. Online journalism: principles and practices of news for the Web. 2nd ed. Arizona: Holcomb Hathaway, Publishers, Inc.
Guardian, 2010. Available from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/ [Accessed 1 December 2010]Gunter, B., 2003. News and the Net. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Publishers.
Nielsen, J., 2000. Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. USA: New Riders Publishing.
Robbins, N, J., 2006. Web design in a nut shell. 3rd ed. California: O’Reilly Media, Inc,.
Salwen, M, B., 2005. Online News Trends. In: Driscoll, P, D., Salwen, M, B. And Garrison, B. Online News and the Public. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Publishers, 47-81.
Thurman, N., 2008. New Media & Society. Forums for citizen journalists? Adoption of user generated content initiatives by online news media, 10, 139-157. Available from:
http://nms.sagepub.com/content/10/1/139.full.pdf+html [Accessed 1 December 2010]Wardle, C and Williams, A., 2010. Media, Culture & Society. Beyond user-generated content: a production study examining the ways in which UGC is used at the BBC, 32, 781-799. Available from:
http://mcs.sagepub.com/content/32/5/781.full.pdf+html [Accessed 1 December 2010]Webber, S., 1998. Search engines and news services: Developments on the Internet. Business information Review, 15 (4), 229-237.
Wolk, D, R., 2001. Introduction to Online Journalism. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.
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Cross dressing, chaffing and Cinderella
Oh no it isn’t. Oh yes it is. If you thought it was behind you, you were very much mistaken. Pantomime season is back; familiar sing along songs, clapping, cheering, heckling and a ‘journey’ for all the family to enjoy. Nationally they dominate theatres for two months and now as the crisp winter air chills Bournemouth, families and friends rush inside the prestigious Pavilion to enjoy the delights of Cinderella with a celebrity filled cast.
“I feel too old for pantomime.” “Don’t be silly I am eighty three next year! I am older than you” two elderly women cackle behind me as they take their seats.
Pantomime dates further back than the middle ages and uses dance, music, humour and limp wristed mischief to provide entertainment for the audience. The audience participates in the show and supports either the goodies or the baddies following the slapstick adventure. The lead male character is traditionally played by a female often sporting a connoisseur moustache, whilst the males playing the ‘ugly step sisters’ are akin to a Beryl Cook caricature. Alongside these characters, the shows contain modern references and jokes reflecting the zeitgeist of today’s world.
Bouncing off the wall childrens squeals and screams reach unimaginable decibels. Parents mutter disapprovingly at their children. Teachers frantically gather their groups, “can you all keep the noise down please.” Whistles hang loosely around childrens necks. Flashing ears and light sabres create a sparkling display as children run in the foyer. Outside of the Pavilion cars swarm the car park, people rush frantically towards the building as the ticket kiosks work in overdrive. Ten minutes before show time. 6.50pm.
The decor and arrangement in the theatre is impressive, with solid white pillars supporting the building, red draping curtains, a bare stage with minimal props and a backdrop reading: once upon a time there was a poor girl who lived with her father who was kind but weak. The ceiling is overwhelming, a sight definitely not to be missed. The high dome covering expresses splendour and elegance. A young girl no older than seven stares in awe at the mesmerising lights against the white washed walls. Pink hearts and twinkling stars illuminate the room. “Excuse me, can we get to our seats?” The rows continue to fill with people and excitement. Rustling wrappers and fidgety children become impatient whilst Michael Buble is played in the background.
“I love the fact pantomime regresses adults back to children. It brings the whole family together and it’s a local night out.” Parents still enjoy taking their children (or themselves) to pantomimes for the night. Cinderella managed to keep adults ‘alert’ and amused using a range of puns, innuendos and cultural references. “House prices are up” exclaims the father to the ugly stepsister. An elderly gentleman laughs behind me. Even the economic crisis had its five minutes of fame on stage, alongside an unexpected appearance by a certain Anne Widecombe, albeit an inflatable one.
“Oh Buttons, I love you as a friend.” Free sweets. Goody bags. Games on stage. After a two hour show the finale is truly magic. Oh yes it is. The audience applauds and cheers the ‘happy ending’ as Cinderella and Prince Charming marry and leave on real Shetland ponies. As the curtain drops the clapping and shouting fades to an inaudible murmur.
“It’s cheerful and uplifting and I love it. I was in the pantomime last year here, for Snow White. With only a few weeks to rehearse it was hard work but I love performing on stage”, says a glittery eyed dancer as she stands outside the dressing room in a puffy red ball gown.
“I loved the ‘colourful’ stepsisters” says a couple walking arm in arm. I wait patiently outside in the freezing cold at the backstage door. Time passes slowly and cars trickle out of the car park one after another. Muffled voices can be heard behind the closed door and in the blink of an eye Byron Mondahl walks past, looking plain and tired in comparison to the glitzy glamour queen on stage only an hour ago. “It has been amazing playing an ugly sister, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. We only had a week and a half to rehearse and then one week for technical rehearsals. Changing costumes so often throughout the night is very hectic.” Mondahl’s eyes glisten and he exhales a gentle sigh. “It has been so lovely being here in Bournemouth. I have managed to see glorious winter snow and clear blue skies during my time here. The celebrities in the show are so down to earth and supportive. Everyone has so many stories to tell and it has been a great pleasure being around these people.” Mondahl leaves in a yellow taxi whilst young dancers rush by to be collected by their parents.
Rushing around to the front of the Pavilion, small childlike voices can be heard. “Mum I am here”. The pavilion looks empty as the remainder of the crowd filters out into the car park.
A man in a khaki hat, coat and glasses walks down the entrance steps. I notice that it is the much loved CBeebies star Chris Jarvis. Despite the cold he willingly shares how he felt starring and directing in the show, “[It is] a very privileged job, you know, because we get to do a little bit of everything, work with amazing people and not just big stars but people who are setting out, who have so much [energy] to give. Every year it is always different. You learn from the pros and learn from the people who are full of life and setting out.” His eyes glisten as he speaks fondly of the energetic cast, reflecting serenely, “just as I am getting a bit older”. “A lot of people think the rehearsals are too long but I need that time to get my head around it…When you start from scratch you need all that time.”
Jarvis looks across the sea and reflects on the night’s performance. “It was a very small house; [the atmosphere] was a bit flat. But that’s not a problem as long as you look out and see smiles. It doesn’t really bother me I am a bit OCD, I’d rather they didn’t miss a laugh and laughed through the next gag…I don’t really mind if it’s a small house.” Looking directly into my eyes he exchanges a ‘knowing look’ of relief and gratitude that the night is coming to a close. “The figures are up on last year, and I think they are everywhere, nationally, which is brilliant considering we are in a recession. People are going to the theatre and I think that Southampton and Poole are also doing well.”
The references to Bournemouth and adult jokes made a naughty but entertaining show. Jarvis sniggers, winking, “Where there any? I am all innocent.” Oh yes he is.
Pantomimes are the perfect winter warmer and offer light hearted entertainment to the whole family. We all want a little bit of magic in our lives. A fairy godmother. A Prince Charming. Start counting your magic beans and discover what pantomime can do for you. Oh hang on; it is just for children right? Oh no it isn’t.
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Report writing- compensation claim in Newhampton
Summary
This report investigates a compensation claim by Mark Myers, 17, who broke his leg due to a faulty section of pavement in Denby Street, Newhampton. The Chairman of the Newhampton Shopkeepers’ Trading association also issued a complaint about the pavements in this street.
After investigating the validity of the claim, it was identified that it was the faulty section of pavement that was the cause of Mr Myers accident. The contractors, Thompson Tarmacadam were found to have resurfaced the pavements to an unsatisfactory standard and they did not comply with the legal contract agreement. They also failed to inform the council that they had completed the underground conduits and resurfacing of pavements.
It was concluded that Thompson Tarmacadam are to pay the sum of £1400 to Mark Myers for the costs incurred since his accident. The council are to contact Thompson Tarmacadam immediately to rectify the pavements in Denby Street before 20 March 2010, or further legal action will be taken. The council are recommended to employ a different contractor before the end of March 2010. It was also recommended that the council are to ensure contractors are under full supervision in the future to prevent further occurrences and written confirmation is sent fortnightly from contractors to the council on work progress when work is being undertaken.
1 Terms of Reference
1.1 The objective of this report is to investigate a compensation claim and a complaint in Newhampton.
1.2 The report was requested by Mr Smith, Chief Highways and Transportation Officer.
1.3 The purpose of this document is to make recommendations for action by the Chief and Highways Transportation Officer.
1 Introduction
1.1 This report is an investigation into a complaint and a claim for compensation. Full time student, Mark Myers, 17, has a total claim of £1000 for costs incurred since the accident on 1 February 2010 in Denby Street, Newhampton. This investigation will determine what compensation should be awarded to Mark Myers, who is liable and what action needs to be taken. A complaint from the Chairman of the Newhampton Shopkeepers’ Trading Association is to be investigated alongside the compensation claim. The complaint is about an area which is a safety hazard and that the council had assured him the contractors, Thompson Tarmacadam, were contracted to resurface pavements six months ago in Newhampton following completion of work on underground conduits but there are no further records.
2 Methods of Investigation
2.1 The student claiming for compensation Mark Myers was interviewed about what happened during his accident on 1 February 2010 and the effect on his life afterwards; the disruption to his life style and loss of earnings.
2.2 Thompson Tarmacadam was contacted about the programme of work on the underground conduits and the rescheduling of pavements. They were asked what work had been completed and what work was outstanding.
2.3 The Chairman of the Newhampton Shopkeepers’ Trading, Mr Jones, was contacted about the safety hazard location in his complaint.
2.4 Health and Safety Officers were sent to the location recorded in the compensation claim and complaint. Two hours were spent in Denby Street, making observations and taking notes.
3 Findings
3.1 Mark Myers on 1 February was in Newhampton shopping by himself. He was walking down Denby Street when he tripped over a faulty section of pavement outside the nightclub, Halogen and broke his leg. He had not been under the influence of any alcohol or drugs and was not ill or unwell at the time. Mark Myers has provided evidence for costs and expenses since the accident. See Appendix 1 for the full list of figures and total to be awarded for the compensation claim.
3.2 Thompson Tarmacadam were contacted about their programme of work and confirmed they had completed the underground conduits on 31 December 2010 and resurfacing had been completed on 5 January 2010 in Newhampton. Thompson Tarmacadam apologised for not informing the council of the completion of these two contracts.
3.3 The Chairman of the Newhampton Shopkeepers’ Trading, Mr Jones, reported the safety hazard area was in Denby Street in Newhampton.
3.4 The pavements in Denby Street were observed and notes described the pavements as in poor condition. The pavements were uneven and had small pot holes.
4 Conclusion
It is concluded that:
4.1 Mark Myers is to be paid the sum of £1400 compensation money for the accident on 1 February 2010 in Denby Street. (See Appendix 1)
4.2 Thompson Tarmacadam failed to meet Health and Safety standards resurfacing the pavements in Denby Street. The work completed was unsatisfactory and has been the cause of an accident. Thompson Tarmacadam failed to communicate and inform the council the progress and completion of work.
5 Recommendations
It is recommended that the following immediate action is to be taken:
5.1 The council is to recover £1400 compensation money from Thompson Tarmacadam to be awarded to Mark Myers.
5.2 Thompson Tarmacadam are to rectify the defect, Denby Street, before 20 March 2010 or further legal action will be taken.
5.3 The council is to consider alternative contractors and Thompson Tarmacadam are not to be used in the future.
It is recommended that the following long term actions are considered:
5.4 The council need to improve communication with contractors. Written confirmation is sent fortnightly from contractors to the council on work progress when work is being undertaken.
5.5 The council need to provide appropriate supervision of contractors to ensure work is being completed to a satisfactory standard and work programmes are being followed.
6 Appendix
Student – Mark Matthews, living in the nearby village of Lesser Brockhampton
Case Number – 250AH
The student is 17 and attends the local College of Further Education in Newhampton. This accident, which occurred at the start of the autumn term, is said to have disrupted his education considerably:
- he missed the start of term and the first weeks of his course;
- he still has to miss classes on Thursday mornings when he attends physiotherapy at the hospital;
- He planned to drive into college each day but since the accident he has been unable to drive. None of the other students live near him and as he is not on any bus routes he has had to use taxis twice a day to travel the twenty miles into college to continue his course.
Taxi each day = £40
£40 x 5 days = £200
£200 x 4 weeks = £800
- He has lost his evening job in a supermarket where he was employed for three hours each evening. He planned to use this money to help pay his college expenses.
Work each evening = £20
£20 x 4 nights = £80
£80 x 4 weeks = £320
- He has also had to replace his glasses and his mobile phone which were broken in the fall.
Glasses being replaced = £60
Phone being replaced = £120
- He was taken to hospital by ambulance that night but had to pay for a taxi home after his leg had been set in plaster.
Taxi home = £15
- Further disruptions to his life include having to sleep downstairs as he cannot manage to get upstairs to his bedroom and missing out on playing football both at weekends and for the college team.
Membership to his football club per month = £85
Total amount= £1400
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