Too Much Information, Too Little Interest: Local Newspapers and the Communication Paradox of EU Politics

To understand the current state of affairs in European Union (EU) politics, it is important to consider the role of the media. Local newspapers play a distinctive role in this regard, as they demonstrate both the tangible local relevance and the impact of EU politics. However, critics argue that the EU suffers not only from a democratic deficit but also from deficiencies in legitimacy, communication, and the public sphere. This article presents a theoretical model that shows how local newspapers may influence the top-down and bottom-up dynamics of Europeanization and politicization and thereby help mitigate these deficits. It also reports findings from a qualitative analysis of 34 interviews with journalists, EU correspondents, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as their staff, representatives of civil society and Europe Direct Information Centers (EDICs) from Germany, Austria, France, as well as interviewees based in Brussels. The analysis shows that the availability of EU information that is perceived as overwhelming, combined with a perceived low level of reader interest in EU affairs, hinders the positive effects of the dynamics of Europeanization and politicization.