The Spiral of Euroscepticism: Media negativity, framing and EU opposition

Hans-Jörg Trenz, Professor, 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 "European Futures?"

For the first time a member state has decided to exit the European Union. Growing Euroscepticism in all parts of Europe, rising nationalism, and more people than ever believing the European project is failing point perhaps to the dawn of a new and very different Europe. This autumn the EURECO Distinguished Lecture Series, entitled ‘European Futures?’, will explore the prospects for the Europe of tomorrow. We are pleased to welcome you on this journey.

In the first two lectures by Hans-Jörg Trenz and Michael Bossetta we will investigate possible explanations for increasing Euroscepticism and rising populism across Europe and think about  the consequences for Europe and the future of the EU. In the third lecture Charlotte Galpin will introduce us to the implications of the EU crisis for European identities and solidarity, and how changes to these have implications for tackling the EU’s future challenges. In the fourth lecture Holly Snaith will dig into one of the most pressing and significant challenges EU faces: Brexit and the consequences, not just for the UK, but also for Europe as a whole, with one of the main questions being whether Brexit signals further disintegration of the EU. In the last two of the ordinary EURECO lectures we move on to look at the legal and judicial integration of Europe. In his lecture Juan Mayoral will examine the relevance of trust for the EU’s multi-level judicial system, while Graham Butler will explore how recent events, such as the financial and migration crises, create tensions for the European legal order. In the Final Honorary Lecture we have the great pleasure to welcome to Copenhagen Professor Dame Helen Wallace from the British Academy (latterly of the LSE, the European University Institute in Florence and the University of Sussex), one of the world’s most distinguished scholars of European integration.

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. 

The lectures will take place Wednesdays from 15.15 – 17.00 in Alexandersalen, Bispetorvet 1-3, Copenhagen.

Registration is free of charge but necessary at www.eureco.ku.dk

To read more on the distinguised lecture series visit eureco's site.