I've decided to use the Today Tonight web site as an additional text - could anyway give me suggestions if this is the right sort of stuff I should be writing notes on... Thanks 
Reference: Today Tonight http://www.todaytonight.com.au Downloaded date: 15/10/02
Synopsis
The Today Tonight web site illustrates many of the techniques and themes of the Frontline news program, primarily sensationalism and pursuit of ratings.
Techniques
Graphics:
- The Today Tonight logo is black and white, implying accuracy and precision in their own representations of the truth. This text logo is placed on a chaotic inferno orange background communicating danger and excitement. The contrasting design of the logo text and its background is used to present Today Tonight as reliable, powerful and trustworthy source of current affairs.
- Suitable thumbnail images are placed next to each storys blurb, to add interest. However each preview image is digitally manipulated with the addition of blue, red and orange stokes of colour. This has connotations of fire, danger and police. The importance of visuals was stressed in Frontline and it has been accurately reflected by the techniques use by the web sites composer.
Interaction:
- Like current affair programs encourage viewer interaction through the use of rhetorical questions and controversial statements, the web site encourages user interaction through an opinion-voting poll. However the question is manipulative and leading to a desired response, Should people be allowed to pray at work if they make up time spent praying by working late or taking a shorter lunch? The poll box has a graphical tick on its title. Users are given a choice of yes or no but no option to submit comments.
- This interaction echoes the attitude of Frontline in attempting to persuade viewers of their opinions.
Stories:
- Titles and blurbs of the stories available to view on line are sensationalised. E.g. So just how safe from terrorism are we at home? On the same page, four titles included the word terror. E.g. Kids coping with terror, Terror alert, Termite terror, Terror in Bali, Petrol prices war, Driven crazy.
- Many of the stories are consumer and lifestyle stores aimed at lower income groups. E.g. Free home makeovers (which just advertises Seven TV shows: Auction Squad and Ground Force), Rearrange your life, Renovation riches, Holiday bargains online, Eat light for life.
- There are also numerous trashy fillers to attract attention. E.g. Mrs Mums, Too pretty to work? Sweet temptation.
- The blurbs to each of the stories are equally frivolous, and the end of each blurb is a link to see the full story. E.g. Camille Sanford is 23 and unemployed. She just wants to get off the dole but she says employers think she is too good-looking to work for them. Blurbs such as this are used to get the reader curious and hence make them see the full story.
Advertisements:
- It is ironic that career-listing companies sponsor the five advertisements appearing on the web site with slogans such as Need a new job? It suggests that the target market of the web site of young adults from lower-income families.
Relevance
In The Siege the truth is distorted and sensationalised to increase ratings and create excitement.
Consumer and lifestyle stories and trashy fillers are evident, as explored in We Aint Got Dames.
Reference: Today Tonight http://www.todaytonight.com.au Downloaded date: 15/10/02
Synopsis
The Today Tonight web site illustrates many of the techniques and themes of the Frontline news program, primarily sensationalism and pursuit of ratings.
Techniques
Graphics:
- The Today Tonight logo is black and white, implying accuracy and precision in their own representations of the truth. This text logo is placed on a chaotic inferno orange background communicating danger and excitement. The contrasting design of the logo text and its background is used to present Today Tonight as reliable, powerful and trustworthy source of current affairs.
- Suitable thumbnail images are placed next to each storys blurb, to add interest. However each preview image is digitally manipulated with the addition of blue, red and orange stokes of colour. This has connotations of fire, danger and police. The importance of visuals was stressed in Frontline and it has been accurately reflected by the techniques use by the web sites composer.
Interaction:
- Like current affair programs encourage viewer interaction through the use of rhetorical questions and controversial statements, the web site encourages user interaction through an opinion-voting poll. However the question is manipulative and leading to a desired response, Should people be allowed to pray at work if they make up time spent praying by working late or taking a shorter lunch? The poll box has a graphical tick on its title. Users are given a choice of yes or no but no option to submit comments.
- This interaction echoes the attitude of Frontline in attempting to persuade viewers of their opinions.
Stories:
- Titles and blurbs of the stories available to view on line are sensationalised. E.g. So just how safe from terrorism are we at home? On the same page, four titles included the word terror. E.g. Kids coping with terror, Terror alert, Termite terror, Terror in Bali, Petrol prices war, Driven crazy.
- Many of the stories are consumer and lifestyle stores aimed at lower income groups. E.g. Free home makeovers (which just advertises Seven TV shows: Auction Squad and Ground Force), Rearrange your life, Renovation riches, Holiday bargains online, Eat light for life.
- There are also numerous trashy fillers to attract attention. E.g. Mrs Mums, Too pretty to work? Sweet temptation.
- The blurbs to each of the stories are equally frivolous, and the end of each blurb is a link to see the full story. E.g. Camille Sanford is 23 and unemployed. She just wants to get off the dole but she says employers think she is too good-looking to work for them. Blurbs such as this are used to get the reader curious and hence make them see the full story.
Advertisements:
- It is ironic that career-listing companies sponsor the five advertisements appearing on the web site with slogans such as Need a new job? It suggests that the target market of the web site of young adults from lower-income families.
Relevance
In The Siege the truth is distorted and sensationalised to increase ratings and create excitement.
Consumer and lifestyle stories and trashy fillers are evident, as explored in We Aint Got Dames.
