Written by a leading team of internationally distinguished political communication scholars, this book offers the most comprehensive account on comparative political communication research in the context of European Parliamentary elections to date. Divided into four sections, experts begin by tracing the historical and political background of European Parliamentary elections, paying close attention to trends in turnout and the changing institutional role of the European Parliament (EP). Focusing mainly on the 2009 elections and using original data throughout, the next two sections are devoted to campaign communication strategies and the overall media coverage of EP elections in both established and newly-accessioned members of the European Union. The concluding section focuses on the macro- and micro-level effects of European parliamentary campaigns in a comparative perspective to illustrate how campaign strategies and media coverage were received by voters in EU member states. This insightful account on the interaction between political actors, the media, and voters allows readers to develop a global understanding of political and media system interdependencies and on comparative political communication research more generally. Essential reading to students and scholars in political science, media studies, European politics, and political communication, as well as policy makers within the European Union.

Written by a leading team of internationally distinguished political communication scholars, this book offers the most comprehensive account on comparative political communication research in the context of European Parliamentary elections to date. Divided into four sections, experts begin by tracing the historical and political background of European Parliamentary elections, paying close attention to trends in turnout and the changing institutional role of the European Parliament (EP). Focusing mainly on the 2009 elections and using original data throughout, the next two sections are devoted to campaign communication strategies and the overall media coverage of EP elections in both established and newly-accessioned members of the European Union. The concluding section focuses on the macro- and micro-level effects of European parliamentary campaigns in a comparative perspective to illustrate how campaign strategies and media coverage were received by voters in EU member states. This insightful account on the interaction between political actors, the media, and voters allows readers to develop a global understanding of political and media system interdependencies and on comparative political communication research more generally. Essential reading to students and scholars in political science, media studies, European politics, and political communication, as well as policy makers within the European Union.

In June 2004, the sixth direct election of the European Parliament took place. In this volume, political scientists and communication scholars from almost all EU member states investigate in country chapters and comparatively the political parties' campaigns, mass media's election coverage, citizens' engagement, and the short- and long-term effects of the European integration process.

"Michaela Maier" is junior professor for applied psychology of communication at the University Koblenz-Landau (Germany). "Jens Tenscher" is junior-professor for political studies at the University Koblenz-Landau (Germany).

Die Autoren haben in ihrer Studie die Eindrucke, die 125 Wahlberechtigte in Mainz und Jena wahrend des Duell von den Kandidaten hatten, sekundengenau analysiert. Zusammen mit einer Inhaltsanalyse der Medienberichterstattung und einer Befragung vor, direkt nach und noch einmal wenige Tage nach dem Duell ergibt sich ein umfassendes Bild von der Wahrnehmung und Wirkung von TV-Duellen."

Sind Fernsehnachrichten - wie Kritiker sagen - bunter und oberflachlicher geworden? Nach welchen Kriterien richten sich Journalisten, wenn sie Ereignisse als nachrichtenrelevant beschreiben? Geschieht das bei den offentlich-rechtlichen sowie den privat-kommerziellen Sendern in gleicher Weise? Wie nehmen die Fernsehzuschauer die Meldungen wahr? Diese Fragen werden im Buch auf der Basis empirischer Untersuchungen erlautert."