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Helsinki Edition
October 1998
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European Newsrooms
Strong political institutions, rules and laws - the EU-member has it all. But what about a European identity? The integration process from above seems to be streets ahead of the heart and mind of "the integrated" European citizen. At the moment researchers at Stockholm University are studying the media's role in a project on identity in the news of Europe.
Alexa Robertson, at the department of Political Science, is leading the project . BBC's News at Nine, Le Journal in France, Tagesschau in Germany and Sweden's Aktuellt are being scrutinized as Robertson and her fellow researchers look for traces of identification processes in the newscasts. The study won´t be completed until next summer but already Alexa Robertson has revealed some very interesting discoveries.
In the last decade the European Community has called for European perspectives in the media. But Robertson's findings so far show that the national perspectives still dominate the reporting. The national and the European identity often conflict, "we" differ from "them".
But there are exceptions. A seed has been planted and some media texts seem to be cultivating a European identity.
Is some newsroom sticking out as more of a cultivator of a European identity than the others?
"Yes, the Swedes, or more specifically Aktuellt. But there are examples that confirm the opposite, too", says Alexa Robertson.
In a pilot study from last year she describes how the four newsrooms differ in the way they describe Europe and the Europeans. In News at Nine Europe is described in a polite way. The reports has an atmosphere of interest at a distance where Europe is described as the "Other".
In Aktuellt the relationship between the viewer and Europe is often left an open question. In the programs examined the viewer is taken to Brussels, the Hague etc. The audience is walking the streets of Sarajevo with mediator Carl Bildt. They are following the ministers down the corridors in Brussels. The undertext in the newscast is clear: it could have happened to you. Other Europeans' problems are and should be of concern for the Swedish viewer.
The reporting from France is in general very self-centred. La France is still the center of the universe. Tout le monde (everyone) is synonymous for all Frenchmen despite all the handshaking Chirac is doing in Brussels.
In Tagesschau Germany's status as Europe's leading economy is reflected. According to the study economic issues dominate. Elite persons are the predominant Europeans mentioned, in contrast with Sweden´s equality-approach where the ordinary "Svenssons" are also interviewed.
Adenauer must be sighing heavily in heaven. There is a long way to go before the people of Europe define themselves as Eurocitizens and go Euro both in their hearts and minds. Is it worth striving for?
Sara Bengtsson |
