You will create an essay on issue 1332 of the Big
issue: Still at War. You will analyse the
issue: Still at War. You will analyse the
media language and media representations
associated with the front cover.
As part of the essay you will need to discuss the
social and political contexts which have
lead to a rise in homelessness in overall and
within the veteran community
You will also discuss how newspapers (right wing
and Big Issue) vary in the way the
represent homelessness. As part of your
arguments you are required to use Gerbners
theory.
associated with the front cover.
As part of the essay you will need to discuss the
social and political contexts which have
lead to a rise in homelessness in overall and
within the veteran community
You will also discuss how newspapers (right wing
and Big Issue) vary in the way the
represent homelessness. As part of your
arguments you are required to use Gerbners
theory.
This front cover of The Big Issue is a representation of the many homeless veterans. It was released on Sunday the 11th of November, which is remembrance day. The poppy in the corner of the title also references the fallen soldiers and makes us remember them, the red colour of the poppy is a reference to all the blood shed during battle, which just reminds us as the readers how important it really was. The bold, capitalised san serif font of the cover line is black and white which stands out against the green, making it very eye catching for the reader. The word 'war' is the largest and is in the centre of the page, which catches the readers attention and shows them exactly what the magazine is about. The word 'still' is in a black text box, which makes it draw the readers attention. It could be a reference to how even after leaving the army and all the war zones veterans are 'still' at war when they come home as they're fighting for health care and homes, it could also be a reference to the ongoing battle they're having with themselves in their head with anxiety, depression and PTSD, which is a post traumatic stress disorder, which occurs after experiencing traumatising or life changing events. This is then also reflected in the tag line when it says 'peace of mind' which shows how veterans are desperately calling for help and just want peace, yet go through struggles such as homelessness. The phrase 'fighting for futures' is a reference to how veterans give themselves up for us and our future yet when they return from their service they have to keep fighting for their own future that no ones really helping them with, showing how the favour is not returned. The whole magazine is full of muted tones and army green colours, which is just a military reference. The background and person are black and white and the helmet is a vibrant green. This could show how we as a society just see veterans as part of the army and not as individual people with families and friends, it could also refer to how we just over look them and we only realise they're there while they're part of the army, yet when their service is finished we pay no attention to them and their needs. The tag line covers the persons eyes, which could be yet another reference to veterans having no personal identity and being seen as anonymous or unimportant. It reflects how most of society views veterans after service.
The big issue, being a left wing magazine is trying to help raise awareness for these ex-veterans who are being left homeless. Around 13000 war heroes are being left homeless and nearly all of them are struggling with PTSD, anxiety and depression, which often leads to other problems, such as drug addictions and alcohol use, which then leaves them jobless meaning they cannot afford a home, leaving them homeless. People usually categorise the poor into deserving and undeserving and everyones opinions on it are different, The Big Issue is trying to make people see that ex-veterans are part of the deserving poor as they served our country and fought for us and our futures, yet we're not being appreciative enough as we aren't offering them any help in return. Gerbner's theory really applies in this case. This is because media has a huge influence on todays society and due to them only ever showing the more negative aspects of homelessness, people will believe what they see. More right winged pieces of media like, The Daily Mail newspaper only show anti-social behaviour, drugs, alcohol and violence, which gives people the impression that all poor or homeless people are addicts and nasty violent people and this makes others see them as flawed and undeserving of sympathy, which then deters people from actually helping those in need due to thinking their undeserving beggars. The Big Issue is unlike all the other mainstream media as they generally try to help people and get them off the streets and provide care for them. They use their voice to raise awareness that these things are happening as many people aren't aware of how many people or ex-veterans are being left without homes and help. They show how many of our homeless are veterans, which wouldn't be obvious to the general public as they're normal people, also explaining how drugs and alcohol usually aren't the cause of homelessness but the effects of it, as people turn to it due to being so low. Hopefully, due to The Big Issue people will change their attitudes towards homelessness and understand that they're people who need help.
The big issue, being a left wing magazine is trying to help raise awareness for these ex-veterans who are being left homeless. Around 13000 war heroes are being left homeless and nearly all of them are struggling with PTSD, anxiety and depression, which often leads to other problems, such as drug addictions and alcohol use, which then leaves them jobless meaning they cannot afford a home, leaving them homeless. People usually categorise the poor into deserving and undeserving and everyones opinions on it are different, The Big Issue is trying to make people see that ex-veterans are part of the deserving poor as they served our country and fought for us and our futures, yet we're not being appreciative enough as we aren't offering them any help in return. Gerbner's theory really applies in this case. This is because media has a huge influence on todays society and due to them only ever showing the more negative aspects of homelessness, people will believe what they see. More right winged pieces of media like, The Daily Mail newspaper only show anti-social behaviour, drugs, alcohol and violence, which gives people the impression that all poor or homeless people are addicts and nasty violent people and this makes others see them as flawed and undeserving of sympathy, which then deters people from actually helping those in need due to thinking their undeserving beggars. The Big Issue is unlike all the other mainstream media as they generally try to help people and get them off the streets and provide care for them. They use their voice to raise awareness that these things are happening as many people aren't aware of how many people or ex-veterans are being left without homes and help. They show how many of our homeless are veterans, which wouldn't be obvious to the general public as they're normal people, also explaining how drugs and alcohol usually aren't the cause of homelessness but the effects of it, as people turn to it due to being so low. Hopefully, due to The Big Issue people will change their attitudes towards homelessness and understand that they're people who need help.
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