ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the way the CNN and BBC have framed Brexit and EU migration prior to the June 2016 referendum and in its aftermath, arguing that media coverage has enhanced British national identity and put EU identity at stake. Free mobility within the EU has been controversial, particularly in the aftermath of the fifth EU enlargement generating an influx of Eastern Europeans, emerging as one of the most important issues facing Britain. Indeed, roar over the influx, involving EU nationals, has had major repercussions on Britain’s position within the EU. The main findings reveal that Brexit and EU migration have been covered in relation to their impact on Britain’s position on the international scene, on global economy and trade, as well as Britain’s social makeup and national identities.