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The Nordic and the EU:Media coverage of the 2024 European Parliament election in Denmark, Sweden and Finland

Olsson Anasthase, Christine LU (2025) STVM20 20242
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis investigates media coverage of the 2024 European Parliament election in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, analyzing the extent to which media addressed voter priorities as identified in the Eurobarometer survey and exploring emerging themes. Through qualitative content analysis of 276 headlines from nine major newspapers, the study reveals significant variations in media engagement across the Nordic countries.
Sweden exhibited the highest media involvement, with proactive and educational coverage; Finland´s coverage balanced national and EU topics, and Denmark, contrary to expectations, demonstrated minimal media attention until close to election day, focusing on scandals, skepticism, and national concerns.
The findings... (More)
This thesis investigates media coverage of the 2024 European Parliament election in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, analyzing the extent to which media addressed voter priorities as identified in the Eurobarometer survey and exploring emerging themes. Through qualitative content analysis of 276 headlines from nine major newspapers, the study reveals significant variations in media engagement across the Nordic countries.
Sweden exhibited the highest media involvement, with proactive and educational coverage; Finland´s coverage balanced national and EU topics, and Denmark, contrary to expectations, demonstrated minimal media attention until close to election day, focusing on scandals, skepticism, and national concerns.
The findings underscore the persistent framing of EP elections as second-order events dominated by domestic narratives. Despite Sweden´s extensive efforts, voter turnout decreased across the Nordics, while media coverage plays an essential role in shaping public awareness and interests, it is insufficient on its own to drive higher voter engagement or turnout. This thesis calls for a more engaging, balanced media approach to strengthen democratic engagement and public connection with the EU. (Less)
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author
Olsson Anasthase, Christine LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVM20 20242
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
2024 EP election, Media coverage, Nordic, EU, Topics
language
English
additional info
I would like to thank my supervisor for his engangement and advices during the work on this thesis. Thank you
id
9179415
date added to LUP
2025-03-04 13:01:24
date last changed
2025-03-04 13:01:24
@misc{9179415,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates media coverage of the 2024 European Parliament election in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, analyzing the extent to which media addressed voter priorities as identified in the Eurobarometer survey and exploring emerging themes. Through qualitative content analysis of 276 headlines from nine major newspapers, the study reveals significant variations in media engagement across the Nordic countries.
Sweden exhibited the highest media involvement, with proactive and educational coverage; Finland´s coverage balanced national and EU topics, and Denmark, contrary to expectations, demonstrated minimal media attention until close to election day, focusing on scandals, skepticism, and national concerns. 
The findings underscore the persistent framing of EP elections as second-order events dominated by domestic narratives. Despite Sweden´s extensive efforts, voter turnout decreased across the Nordics, while media coverage plays an essential role in shaping public awareness and interests, it is insufficient on its own to drive higher voter engagement or turnout. This thesis calls for a more engaging, balanced media approach to strengthen democratic engagement and public connection with the EU.}},
  author       = {{Olsson Anasthase, Christine}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Nordic and the EU:Media coverage of the 2024 European Parliament election in Denmark, Sweden and Finland}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}