Transnational journalism networks as drivers of Europeanisation

Abstract

This article analyses characteristics that qualify the transnational networks of journalists emerging across European borders and the potential impact of this type of collaboration on the Europeanisation of coverage by national mass media. We argue that the potential impact on the degree to which coverage is Europeanised is contingent on the characteristics of the networks, namely, a network’s degree of organisation and control and the degree of collaboration among journalists within the network. We develop a theoretical model that outlines these criteria and their potential effects. Our expectations are explored in three case studies of journalistic collaboration across European borders and their resulting media output.