Media framing of the EU plays a central role in constructing public perceptions of the European project and attitudes towards EU enlargement. MEDIATIZED EU studies how media discourses are created to foster or hamper the European project and how they resonate amongst the public, focusing on the elite-media-public triangle. The project uses a mixed methods approach to reveal the impact of mediatisation of political discourses on the representations and perceptions of Europeanisation.
Our research objectives:
1. To study the framing of the pragmatic and identity factors related to Europeanisation in the media and its representations in public opinion;
2. To explore the role of political and media elites in the media framing of the pragmatic and identity factors related to Europeanisation;
3. To trace the interconnections between the political and media elites’ discourses, EU framing, and public opinion.
Relevance and societal impact
Faced with a range of challenges, from the ongoing global migration crisis, the rise of right-wing populist discourses and disinformation media campaigns, the threat posed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the evident democratic backsliding in many Western contexts, the European project becomes more exposed to “self-disorganization” and “self-disorientation”. Our project offers timely data on how these developments shape elite representations, media perceptions and public opinion of Europeanisation. Our research provides policymakers with up-to-date insights on the media representations of the European project, as well as the interconnections between elite discourses, EU framing and public perceptions, enabling them to develop informed strategies for tackling threats to EU values, Eurosceptic attitudes and harmful anti-EU narratives.
We highlight the important role of independent media, quality EU affairs reporting and European political elite engagement with the public in how Europeanisation is framed and understood. We also show how polarization, autocratic media capture, and instrumentalisation of both pragmatic and identity-driven concerns for local political gain can pose a threat to further EU integration and the strengthening of EU institutions.
Our findings also inform how we might imagine the future of Europe in the world and how better-informed citizens and free media can safeguard democracy and fundamental rights across the EU. We find that divisive political rhetoric about the EU’s perceived threats to national sovereignty and identity is more convincing when it is uncritically platformed by the media in environments with a lack of knowledge about the fundamental principles of European collaboration. Likewise, accusations of deviating from the European path that are disingenuously weaponised for internal political gains against opponents are much easier to sell when there is uncertainty about EU shared values and principles upheld by members.
While the issues highlighted by MEDIATIZED EU are complex, addressing them through both policy and informed debate is central to further European enlargement and the strengthening of European institutions and European solidarity. They are also at the forefront of ongoing work of building a stronger, more democratic Europe on the global stage. From key insights for the development of the European Democracy Shield to nurturing independent journalism and civil society resilience as part of the European Democracy Action Plan and combatting disinformation and foreign interference threats in the EU, our research findings inform the EU's strategic priorities as a global protector of democracy and human rights and as a champion of the European way of life.
