Frontline

Different composers expertly use media to represent their own versions and views of the truth. The media do not represent reality. Instead they present a selection of reality. Truth refers to the quality of being in accord with fact or reality. Truth is a comprehensive term that in all of its nuances implies accuracy and honesty. Telling the truth is often hard for media, as selective truths can be more appropriate, convenient, and most importantly, entertaining. Frontline takes a satirical look at a medium that purports to objectively present public affairs. Rob Sitch et al puts forward his critical views of current affairs programs, and uses parody, caricature, sarcasm, irony, puns, hyperbole and juxtaposition to represent the medias presentation of “The Truth”.

The Responders of this program, are looking to be entertained, and the more the media plays up the script, adding twist’s and putting in information which isn’t the truth, the higher the ratings reach. There are occasional responders who are believe the program is authentic, and they can often be described as gullible, and need to be aware that Frontline is not demonstrating “The Truth”, but instead adding to “The Truth”.

Sitch presents his critical view of the media through providing the audience with satire. Satire is a humour which can be described as “Laughter with knives”, the humour is often offensive.

There are certain techniques used in each episode which make the audience believe in “Front Lines” point of view.

In the episode of “the siege”, the techniques are evident. There is Framing in the beginning of episode, a montage of frames are crammed with action. They Reflect the frenzy of the story gathering. The champagne bottle is nicely placed.

Symbolism is also used in this episode, the champagne bottle symbolizes their single minded obsession with ratings. Brian’s son is used to symbolise the complete disregard the media has for the real world.

Irony; ironically no one is in the slightest concern about the danger the children are in, or even the sadness of the situation, the reflection of society and societal problems.

Camera techniques are evident in every episode. In “the siege”, close ups of Brooke’s overly concerned face when interviewing, juxtaposed with Mrs. Forbes misery. Since the audience knows she is insincere this emphasises her duplicity.

In representing the Front Lines version of the truth, Sitch et al chooses to prove the devious moves of the media, in the episode “The Siege”, the sequence where Brooke interviews Mrs Forbes, the hostage-taker’s mother, Brooke convinces Mrs Forbes to sign papers and tells her “Its For your sake more then ours, we want to protect you” and describes it as an “exclusivity clause”. Brooke uses a tone of forged and concern. Mrs Forbes is emotional and crying. The audience hears Brooke in the background telling a camera man “Its too sad”, and gets Mrs Forbes to stop talking. This shows that Brooke is not concerned about letting Mrs Forbes speak to the camera and say the final words, but is more cautious about the ratings. It was obvious Brooke would go back to the tape, and edit out Mrs Forbes to give the audience the display she desires. Sitch el at skilfully shows the audiences how editing is used to construct Front lines own versions of the truth. This proves that ratings drive what news is delivered and how it is presented.

Another point in this episode that Sitch makes is that the media fabricates