Publication

This article examines the media image of the EU in Germany and abroad between 2003 and 2005. It argues that a growing rift became visible between official enthusiasm for the ‘European Project’ and on the other hand, the media image of the EU and public opinion. Although EU coverage after the referendum on the European Constitution ran low, there was no improvement in the tone of coverage towards the EU and its institutions. The biggest deficit in EU coverage stems arguably from the lack of truly European political parties and the ensuing deficit of communicative power for the European legislative.