This edited collection makes a unique contribution to analyses of the changing nature and
challenges of mediated political communication through a distinctive comparative discourse
analytical approach. The book explores how politics is performed and discursively constructed
in television news and current affairs in five countries (France Greece Italy Sweden and the
UK) and focuses on a moment in time in European politics characterized by challenging tensions
increased Euroscepticism questioning of mainstream politics accentuated gaps between the
elite and the citizens and polarizations between member states. Emphasising the performative
and discursive dimensions of political communication the chapters provide a detailed
comparative analysis that is centred around three themes: how symbolic representations of
politics are shaped by journalistic practices genres and styles of news reporting the
language and performances of mainstream and populist political leaders and the participation
and representation of citizens¿ voices.
