Religion, Euroskepticism, and the Media
Project leader: Professor Claes de Vreese, University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Religious issues take a prominent place in contemporary European politics. This is noticeable both in current discussions in different countries and at the level of EU politics. The increasing politicization of anti-Islam feelings coincides with increasing skepticism towards further European integration and enlargement. The relationship between Euroskepticism and religious attitudes and behavior was explored in a time in which all established democracies are characterized by the media playing a central role in the relationship between politics and citizens.
This collaborative cross-nationally comparative research proposal was located in the intersection between religion, Euroskepticism, and the media. It drawed on analyses of existing media content and survey data and collected new and more appropriate media and public opinion data.