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Shannon Matthews Vs Madaline McCann Essay

1) Find examples of language used in each of the pieces to describe the parents of both children. How does this language differ? What are the messages and values on social class? (10 marks)

In the Mathews case, the telegraph analysed that the mother had ‘seven children to five fathers’, this gives us connotations of working class person that doesn’t care about her self image. Also according to the daily telegraph the officers examined alleged ‘similarities between Shannon's disappearance and a storyline from the Channel 4 drama Shameless TV series. It is seen that Miss Matthews allegedly seen this and try and recreate the show as they are both from a lower working class background as well as both of the families are on benefits. In the McCann's case, the telegraph mentions her parents as ‘consultants’ which connotes that they are a mid-upper class family and they are from high status. Furthermore, the article states that the McCann's ‘threatened legal actions against the Portuguese police’ connotes that them as a great power and wealth if they can go against the government and have high end lawyers.  In conclusion, we can evidently say that working class is being seen as manipulative people and liars and the middle upper class are being seen as a caring family that really loves her daughter, and are trying everything to get her back.

2) Analyse the choice of pictures used in terms of framing, shot type and mise en scene. Compare their representations of the social class of the two families. (10 marks)

In the McCann's case, the photo that was used was a long shot of Madeline and her mother playing in the park wearing normal everyday clothes. This connotes that they are a happy family and the she’s a kind and caring mother. Although, this might not be true as the parents left the children alone at home whilst they were in a restaurant. Also, there are major inconsistencies in the story told. In the Shannon Matthews case, the newspaper used close ups mug shot looking images in regular clothes and we cannot see the background. The image of Shannon makes her look like a kid innocent girl, that has nothing to do with the actions of her mother. On the other hand, the mother’s picture they gave a close up on her face to show the guilt and shame. Knowing that she made up a kidnapping because she wanted money that she didn’t deserve and also she allegedly is on benefits. Also she done it all for 50,000 but she cost the government 3 million for a search that was set up. Her being a work class person, they made sure people didn’t feel any empathy for the mother as she was a lying manipulative character.

3) Hall notes that representation is “contested”, in particular the representation of those with less power in society.  He argues that news coverage can be hierarchical.  To what extent is this evident from the two readings? Make reference to Hall’s theory of representation in your answer. (10 marks)


In the Shannon Matthews case, following Halls theory of representation, the family is stereotyped and represent as a 'average' British white lower class family. Outlining that Miss Matthews is a mother of seven children with five fathers, reinforces this stereotypes. Additionally, her having additional boyfriends making her seem as a 'insane' mother and she doesn't know what she is doing. The media constructs a picture of her to make her seem like she's in the work and she's a liar and a manipulated the whole press and fooled people for a short period of time. This guilt is backed up by the act that the photograph by the use of a mug shot like image. They are contrasted by the McCann's as they are towards the higher end of the hierarchy compared to the Matthews

What is the dominant (intended) meaning of The Daily Telegraph? How is the audience supposed to feel about the two families?  Do you take a negotiated or oppositional reading and if so, how / why? Make reference to reception theory in your answer. (15 marks)

The dominant intended meaning of the telegraph for the Shannon Matthews case, can be referred as the mother, Miss Matthews to be a manipulating liar. The audience is made to feel no sympathy for the mother as she made up a whole scandal which cost the police department £3 million. This money went to waste as the whole scene was staged and set up, making tax payers furious that their hard earned money went to waste. I take negotiated reading of this article, as i agree that Miss Mathews was a cheat and just did it for attention and to get fast easy money. However, for someone to be that horrible and be that absurd they must be in a very tight position in their current financial state and need help to provide for her seven children. In the Madeline McCann's case, the dominant meaning is to portray the family as this powerful and high status individuals, that have no responsibility and are petrified on what happened to their daughter. The audience are supposed to feel sorry for this middle-upper class family, and that they are trying everything to get their daughter back, even things such as threaten the Portuguese police to a lawsuit as they didn’t release the image of the suspected kidnapper. In this article i take a oppositional approach, the family isn’t as innocent as Daily Telegraph reports them to be. A ‘good’ mother wouldn’t leave their children alone in the house, even if they were getting checked on. In addition, the story produced was very exaggerated and there are many inconsistencies on what happened on the night, also it is very coincidental.

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