Rastamouse Controversy

The Article:

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/feb/15/rastamouse-cbeebies

Representation Questions:

1) How is the Language issue represented?

The Language issue is set up as extremely controversial, the author states "Not since the Teletubies......show been talked about this much", clearly stating its impact on viewers. The author represents both sides of the issue, however there are good opinions represented just as much as negative, the author clearly plays both sides of the argument and then uses direct adress at the end of the article, "Let us know below" to state that it is all opinion based and neither side can be seen as typically correct.

2) How does the author represent him/herself and others?

The author never clearly states their own opinion, however it is possible to say that the author sides that Rastamouse is infact a good programme for viewers, they say "seized upon by conspiracy theoriests" as if the Rastamouse programme is under attack which could show his own biased opinion that this controversy over a childrens programme is rediculous.

The author represents others in two very different lights, he represents the creators of Rastamouse in a very positive light "The pleasingly retro feel of Rastamouse's stop-frame filming comes courtesy of director Derek Mogford, an animator who learned his trade on Postman Pat.". The use of courtesy can be shown that the author is thankful for the creation of the television programme.

The author also shows mothers and parents in a negative way, the use of "predictably, on Mumsnet" as a way of saying that its likely to get bad reviews of this website as they always view everything in a bad light, and therefore their argument on the controversy is invalid.

3) How do they shape the readers response?

The author shapes the readers response to represent the show in a positive manner, the use of "Pleasingly retro" and "Our furry hero's voice is provided by Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates." these two statements show the programme as good, and the use of the first person plural 'our' invokes that the reader is a part of this group.

However the author does also allow some freedom of choice, by saying at the end of the article "So have you been watching our red, gold and green hero? Is Rastamouse irie or vexin'? Let us know below." However, even at this finishing statement we get another plural 'our.....hero', which again shapes the readers response to be a positive one despite seeming like the author is allowing for free choice on the issue.