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Reporting EU Politics in News Venues: An Issue of Democratic Deficit?

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  • Muriel Cathérine Wenzel

    (Department of Social and Cultural Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany)

Abstract

In a qualitative research design comprising 34 expert interviews and 18 focus groups from two distinct research projects, interviewees and participants discussed the status of EU reporting as well as its impact on and importance for the alleged democratic deficit of the EU. This article subsumes their views and attempts to answer the following questions: Can EU reporting positively influence European democracy? What are the obstacles and possibilities to strengthen EU reporting? The article first lays out the theoretical foundation of the impact of EU reporting and the role of the media in European democracy. Based on a qualitative analysis, it then shows the current perceived status of EU reporting in the media on local, national, and supranational levels. Lastly, the article illustrates possible examples and ideas to improve EU reporting—e.g., by demonstrating EU topics’ concrete relevance for daily life.

Suggested Citation

  • Muriel Cathérine Wenzel, 2025. "Reporting EU Politics in News Venues: An Issue of Democratic Deficit?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 13.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v13:y:2025:a:9869
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.9869
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    2. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:45:y:2007:i::p:127-155 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Stefanie Sifft & Michael Brüggemann & Katharina Kleinen‐V. Königslöw & Bernhard Peters & Andreas Wimmel, 2007. "Segmented Europeanization: Exploring the Legitimacy of the European Union from a Public Discourse Perspective," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(1), pages 127-155, March.
    4. Carlos Mendez & Fernando Mendez & Vasiliki Triga & Juan Miguel Carrascosa, 2020. "EU Cohesion Policy under the Media Spotlight: Exploring Territorial and Temporal Patterns in News Coverage and Tone," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(4), pages 1034-1055, July.
    5. Andreas Follesdal & Simon Hix, 2006. "Why There is a Democratic Deficit in the EU: A Response to Majone and Moravcsik," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(3), pages 533-562, September.
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