ABSTRACT
The discourse of the Independent may be best described as predominantly pro-European with Eurosceptic undertones in certain of its aspects. Politically, without getting into the charged area of sovereignty, the Independent somewhat equivocally asserts that Britain’s future is Europe. The Independent has taken note of the strong opinions in British business circles relating to the economic imperative of further developing our ties with Europe. In many ways the Guardian’s pro-Europeanism is comparable to that of the Independent but there are subtle differences. The essentially pro-European discourse gets off to an impressive start in early March 1997 by representing a whole range of European issues which includes information on the single currency and the working of the European Commission. By the beginning of May 1998, the period of the launch of the euro and of the appointment of the president of the European Central Bank, both camps have a clearer if unresolved position to represent.
