Euroscepticism and the Media: New Forms of Online Euroscepticism

Abstract

Although it is well-established that traditional mass media outlets wield significant influence in the interpretation and framing of political issues, the impact of online media for politics is less clear. Do newer, online media mirror the logic and practices of offline media; or, do online media diverge from traditional media paradigms and afford new arenas and kinds of political contestation? This panel investigates the content and kinds of Euroscepticism expressed across a variety of online mediums, e.g.: Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and online news portals. The panel explores whether Eurosceptic voices online differ from those expressed in traditional media, as well as whether new forms of engagement offered by online media have any significant impact on negativity towards the EU. While addressing the inter-connectivity between online and offline media, the panel addresses a number of research questions, such as: Does social media logic encourage the construction, framing, and dissemination of Eurosceptic narratives? What kinds of narratives about the EU can be witnessed online during the recent Eurocrisis? Are Eurosceptic actors more visible in online news coverage than in traditional media outlets? Do online forms of user engagement amplify negativity towards the EU?