ABSTRACT
A comprehensive framework for analysis of the impact of European integration on political communication needs to take account of developments in four areas: media and political systems, media and political organisations, media content and potential effects, and media audiences and audience characteristics. In this study, the focus is, first, on changes in media systems, and, second, on media organisations and journalists' role orientations. Third, what is known about news concerning ‘Europe’ is 235summarised and the impact of ‘Europeanisation’ on news content discussed. The authors identify the conceptual, theoretical and empirical challenges facing students and scholars of political communication in understanding the impact of European integration in member states. It is argued that it is important to consider both the historical, institutional and media system contexts and patterns in news content. The discussion concludes by proposing new avenues for research on the link between media coverage of politics and potential effects on audiences.
