The current fiscal crisis in Europe requires a concerted effort, but the crisis might turn out to be divisive. Though much of the continent has abolished border controls, shares a common currency and monetary policy, and made a feat of common regulations Europe is divided in its news media. The Euro Crisis in the Press is an interdisciplinary and comparative study of the way the crisis is covered in the press across the Eurozone: It investigates press coverage as a platform for the dissemination of public discourses about the crisis and as an indicator of public understanding along three key dimensions: 

Collective decision-making: The European sovereign debt crisis significantly shapes the fortunes of many Europeans. Without a shared European understanding of what constitute the parameters of the crisis, key economic and monetary policy decisions that may decisively shape these fortunes are unlikely to enjoy popular legitimacy. Apart from operating as a space of contestation about the culprits of the crisis, to what extent do the media help forge a common European public discourse on the crisis’ causes and solutions?

Identity: The European project has often been viewed as a gradual process of convergence around a set of normative principles and cultural practices towards the forging of a common European identity. The crisis seems to be putting a strain on these views but also operates as an opportunity for genuine discussion on the future of Europe. Our project asks how the idea of Europe differs in public discourses across the European press.

Media: Journalism and the news media are often said to inform and create a common space for debate. But to what extent do the press in different European countries present perspectives from other member states to foster a cross-national understanding on the crisis? In which rubric are stories about Europe placed, under national news or foreign affairs? What would it mean to have a European journalism, indeed a European media?

We have launched a project blog to share thoughts and insights, and to which we invite contributions. The aim is for our blog to become a forum of exchange on the way the crisis is covered in the news, and the way the crisis is affecting the news media in particular and public discourse in Europe in general.