Eureco #1 - The Spiral of Euroscepticism: Media negativity, framing and EU opposition

Lecture by Professor Hans-Jörg Trenz, Centre for Modern European Studies, Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen.

Abstract

EU scholars have increasingly become attentive to the effects of a negativity bias that applies to EU political news-making and shapes Eurosceptic attitudes of large sections of the public.

In the “spiral of cynicism” the preference of journalism for negative news is seen as corresponding to the preferences of the public and its demand for sensational news. Media frames are important in the attribution of responsibility and ascription of political legitimacy.

Media can, in this sense, be made responsible for negative cueing about the EU and an inherent ‘nationalist bias’ in the representation of politics. This type of coverage, in turn, excites particular cognitive and emotional reactions from audiences, which lean towards hostility with the European project.

On the basis of these insights about media framing the lecture will present and discuss an explanation of Euroscepticism as an effect of negative learning through media inputs.

The negativity bias of media news coverage of EU politics is however not entirely independent from the cognitions and judgements of audiences, which often receive information from different sources and process media content selectively also on the basis of collective interpretations and emotional reactions.

These public judgments and emotions can be equally made responsible for the negative bias of news coverage and, in turn, inform the media frames and content.

Negative learning through media discourses is thus a complex process in which providers of media content (journalists and political informants) and audiences interact and equally contribute to the structuring of public debates and expectations.

About the lecture series

The EURECO Distinguished Lectures are open to the public and we invite everyone who takes an interest in European issues to sign-up for a series where some of the best scholars within the field will present and discuss their current work. 

Registration is mandatory but free of charge.