Understanding the European Public Sphere: a review of pending challenges in research

Abstract

This paper seeks to present a theoretical development of the main lines of research that have addressed the emergence of a European Public Sphere (EPS). To this end, the outcomes of the literature are organized into three main categories: political communication in the European Union (EU), the role of digital platforms in a potential public sphere, and the progressive politicization of the EU. Finally, a range of pending challenges are identified. Facing them will help improve research in this field. The increasing politicization of 'Europe' as a topic in the literature and the constant use of digital platforms encourage a European public opinion, which acts together on certain issues beyond the institutional framework. The studies of the coming years have the challenge of combining these variables as well as broadening methodological and theoretical models.

Special Issue Editorial: Platformisation of News and Interactions – Regional Contexts of Crisis in Trust

“…These challenges include matters concerning its economic policies and border security, along with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine War. Since the UK decided to leave the EU in 2016, which stands as a turning point in the legitimation of Euroscepticism, there has been ongoing concern about possible 'spillover' Brexit effects in other countries (De Luca, 2023;Rivas-de-Roca & García-Gordillo, 2022;Vasilopoulou, 2016;Walter, 2020Walter, , 2021. Indeed, challenges to further European integration persist due to both internal structural factors and external issues, with national aspects playing a key role in guiding the process of European integration.…”