BREXIT IN THE MEDIA DISCOURSE OF THE LEADING EUROPEAN

Abstract

The media have always had a powerful influence on the formation of public sentiment. The role of the fourth power is extremely important in the modern days of globalization. In the information space, media discourse is one of the most expressive areas. For several years now, the attention of all media broadcasters in Europe and beyond has been focused on the situation surrounding Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. Brexit is still a source of controversy in the United Kingdom, but the reaction of the world and, in particular, the EU member states to this fateful step of the island kingdom is also different. The key political actor at the heart of the Brexit debate is undoubtedly the media. Like the election of Donald Trump, Brexit has aroused great interest in the international media. Therefore, understanding how and with what emphasis the media broadcasts Brexit messages in the UK, the EU and beyond has become a key issue for researchers of international political communication. A deeper understanding of how Brexit is presented in European national publications makes it possible to form a more or less clear position of the population of the EU member states and to anticipate possible negative sentiments within the European Community. The study found that while European media closely monitored every step of both sides in the process and followed the debate on Brexit around the world, most journalists showed no concern about the impact of Brexit on their country's national interests. However, trade and economic issues remain key to coverage in the European media space. Overall, the study shows that the majority (59%) of Brexit media content in the EU was about the challenges facing the UK itself, rather than what Britain's withdrawal from the European Union means for each of the 27 participating countries. Irish media focus on the sensitive issue north of the Irish border, while not focusing on the issues of migration