An analysis of the audio-visual style used in the portrayal of journalism: being and ought to be in The Wire and The Newsroom

Abstract

The portrayal of journalism in fictional series of the 21st century cannot be fully understood without considering two productions, which are The Wire (HBO, 2002-2008) and The Newsroom (HBO, 2012-2014). However, academic approaches to the two series have focused on aspects related to theme, narrative, and reception, which generally receive more attention in the field of television studies than other equally relevant viewpoints. This paper aims to fill the existing gap with regard to formal approaches by proposing a textual and comparative analysis of the stylistic keys of both series in their approach to journalistic activity. One of the main findings is that although both series are very realistic, The Wire focusses on a formal system built upon the strategies of staging, planning, editing and sound space, with a tendency to descriptively display the facts, while The Newsroom uses an expressiveness that idealises the way the profession is carried out with a sentimental emphasis.