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Abstract

The Cypriot press has historically shaped the perceptions and relations between the European Union (EU) and the Cypriot community. The establishment of a common European public space, integration and citizenship in EU countries is partly influenced by national media. Therefore, this thesis examines the role of Cypriot press in the construction of the European Public Sphere and Citizenship, within the European social integration framework.

The research focuses on a specific period (2004-2013) and examines four historical EU-related events with social, economic and political significance concerning the Republic of Cyprus. The project looks at how the two most popular newspapers in Cyprus (Phileleftheros and Politis) covered the following events: the EU accession of 2004, which saw the admission of a divided and economically strong Cyprus into the EU, the 2008 introduction of the Euro, which pushed the country towards full integration to qualify for eurozone membership, the 2012 European Council presidency and how it influenced the integration process, the 2012-2013 Cypriot financial crises, which saw the country seek assistance from the EU leaders. The project investigates the coverage through an examination of newspaper articles in a replicable and systematic manner. Therefore, a quantitative analysis was chosen as the most appropriate research design.

The key findings identify the perceptions of the Cypriot journalists in reporting EU affairs. Cypriot journalists felt that news should undergo a national angle to apply to local readership. Through the domestication of news, Cypriot journalists address an audience in a homogeneous national sphere. Subsequently, the absence of a European public sphere increases the initial journalistic opinion to report on EU news on a national angle.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Departments:	School of Policy & Global Affairs > School of Policy & Global Affairs Doctoral Theses School of Policy & Global Affairs > Sociology & Criminology Doctoral Theses

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