Tabloid coverage signals partisan solidarity with readers by confirming their existing prejudices.

Evidence

It’s about pandering to your readers’ prejudices, giving back to them in terms of what they already think of them [Muslims]. So, it’s like a signalling to say we are on your side, you are under threat, but you know we will always stand by you. — Nadia Haq, ‘The National Media Just Sees Muslims…, 42

Categorization

• SHARE: The precise ‘we are on your side, you are under threat’ formula would land perfectly with someone who studies populist media rhetoric.