ABSTRACT
Looking at the media with reference to the process of European integration implies examining why the media may play a role and what this role should or could be. For the purposes of researching media coverage, we began with the simple premise that economic and social integration between people in Europe is a reality, and that it impacts on people’s lives. It affects the nature of production and distribution of goods and services, increases the variety of goods, and has led to changes in the regulation of working life. Assuming that the media should play a role in informing people of issues that affect their daily lives and in orientating people and helping them understand central aspects of integration was the basic area of interest for the project. In this sense, we could assess the extent to which the media contributes to a more informed citizenship and to a wider, rational debate on the pros and cons of policy developments. As such, media activities contribute to the national public sphere of debate and exchange concerning European policies, while also bringing about the Europeanisation of national public spheres through identifying and reporting on common trends, obstacles, and opportunities in other countries.
