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10 Oct 2005 09:13:11
The media frenzy surrounding superstar Michael Jackson has caught the attention of a University of Luton academic who has been monitoring him and the coverage of his recent trial very closely.
Professor Garry Whannel has devised his own ‘vortex’ concept - which analyses why some celebrity stories dominate the headlines.
Professor Whannel shared his knowledge with 120 academics at an international conference on Celebrity Culture this autumn – and in true celebrity style, it drew the nation’s press to the doors of the University of Paisley at Ayr in Scotland.
The conference was featured in The Times, The Daily Mail, The Independent, The Sun and The London Evening Standard.
Professor Whannel presented his paper, ‘News, Celebrity and the Jackson verdict: a vortextual analysis’, at the conference.
The paper was based on an analysis of over 100 newspapers from 26 different countries published on the week that the verdict in the Michael Jackson trial was announced.
He told the conference that the expansion of the media and the increase in the speed of circulation had created a vortex.
"Certain major events, such as the Michael Jackson case, come to dominate the headlines. It becomes temporarily difficult for columnists and commentators to discuss anything else.
“They are drawn in, as if by a vortex. Cartoons, radio phone-ins, celebrity columnists, news magazines, cultural commentators, and letter pages, are all drawn into the central topic."
The paper, using the Professor’s concept of vortextuality, analysed the processes whereby Jackson and other major stories, such as the death of Princess Diana, come to dominate, temporarily, the media agenda.
Other celebrities discussed at the conference included David Beckham, Celine Dion, Big Brother housemates, Rupert Murdoch and Kate Moss.
Academics also looked at actor Helen Mirren who is still seen as a sex symbol despite her age (60), and how her attractive appearance emphasised general fears about ageing and celebrity; how Beyonce had become a 'product'; and how Eddie Murphy had become a father figure in his movies, with all mentions of his ethnicity obliterated.
Professor Whannel is part of the Centre for International Media Analysis, based at the School of Media Art and Design, at the University of Luton. To find out more about the University’s media courses, call 0800 389 6633 or visit www.luton.ac.uk.
Latest news» 2005» Oct» Luton Lecturer puts Spotlight on Michael Jackson
