Abstract:  In a qualitative research design comprising 34 expert interviews and 18 focus groups from two distinct research projects, interviewees and participants discussed the status of EU reporting as well as its impact on and importance for the alleged democratic deficit of the EU. This article subsumes their views and attempts to answer the following questions: Can EU reporting positively influence European democracy? What are the obstacles and possibilities to strengthen EU reporting? The article first lays out the theoretical foundation of the impact of EU reporting and the role of the media in European democracy. Based on a qualitative analysis, it then shows the current perceived status of EU reporting in the media on local, national, and supranational levels. Lastly, the article illustrates possible examples and ideas to improve EU reporting—e.g., by demonstrating EU topics’ concrete relevance for daily life.

Keywords:  communication; democracy; democratic deficit; European public sphere; European Union; interviews; (local) journalism; media

Published:   13 August 2025

Issue:   Vol 13 (2025): Debating Europe: Politicization, Contestation, and Democratization (In Progress)