Public Service Media in the Realm of Political Antagonism

Abstract: The primary objective of this study is to explore Public Service Media’s mission of reinforcing democracy in relation to emerging media consumption patterns and political antagonism. In order to explore the phenomenon, the thesis analyzes the case of the coverage of the issue of migration by SR P4, a local radio station of Swedish Radio, during October 2015. To explore the case, two research methods - news framing analysis and qualitative interviews with the employees of Swedish Radio - are implemented. In relation to the case, theories of agonistic democracy, the Mediapolis and a Daily Me are elaborated on. Finally, the thesis suggests improving the current modes of representation on Public Service Media by practicing agonistic democracy, i.e., by finding the ways to mediate political antagonism in its agonistic dimensions. The suggestions are derived on the basis of both news framing and interview analysis.