Brexit-related food issues in the UK print media: setting the agenda for post-Brexit food policy

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how Brexit-related food issues are being presented in the UK print media.Design/methodology/approachUsing the news database Nexis UK, relevant articles were identified based on key search terms, “Brexit” and “Food” or “Farm!” or “Agriculture!”. The search criteria were set to include articles with three or more mentions of these terms. The search period was 6 April to 5 July 2018.FindingsThe quality newspaper genre, and remain-supporting newspaper, The Guardian, in particular, dominated food Brexit coverage. In total, 17 distinct food Brexit issues were covered, with food security and subsidies receiving the most coverage in leave-supporting publications and agriculture, trade and labour receiving the most coverage in remain-supporting publications. Dominant narratives and frames can be identified in the reporting, illustrating newspapers' tendency to promote certain viewpoints in support of their own standpoint on Brexit. In all publication types, political voices feature far more prominently than any other stakeholder group, highlighting the significant potential for this group to influence public opinion and the post-Brexit food policy agenda.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors only examined newspapers over a limited period. Reporting in other media and at different stages in the Brexit negotiation process may differ.Practical implicationsMedia reporting on food Brexit issues has the potential to influence post-Brexit food policy.Originality/valueThis is the first study to look at reporting on food Brexit in the UK media.