Europeanised politics - Europeanised media? European integration and political communication

A comprehensive framework for analysis of the impact of European integratio n on political communication needs to take account of developments in four areas: media and political systems, media and political organisations, medi a content and potential effects, and media audiences and audience character istics. In this study, the focus is, first, on changes in media systems, an d, second, on media organisations and journalists' role orientations. Third , what is known about news concerning 'Europe' is summarised and the impact of 'Europeanisation' on news content discussed. The authors identify the c onceptual, theoretical and empirical challenges facing students and scholar s of political communication in understanding the impact of European integr ation in member states. It is argued that it is important to consider both the historical, institutional and media system contexts and patterns in new s content. The discussion concludes by proposing new avenues for research o n the link between media coverage of politics and potential effects on audi ences.