Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

such as France, 133 Germany, the UK and the Netherlands,
have insisted on maintaining them for as long as possible.
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2011 IN REVIEW:
Throughout 2011, the following issues affected relations
between Bulgaria and the EU: Bulgaria’s accession to
the Schengen Area; the Euro crisis and other economic developments;
the matter of domestic reforms; and work
permits and restrictions. While the articles consulted were
of news reports, instead of op-ed pieces or commentaries,
some general attitudes were depicted, indicating the portrayal
of Bulgarian-EU relations in the popular domestic
press.
The disappointment over the delay of Bulgaria’s accession
to the Schengen area, one of the most widely reported
on topics in 2011, had a negative impact on the
country’s overall attitude towards the EU, especially after
the administration claimed the requirements were completed,
which was suggested by an EU-led inspection. The
notion that the criteria for Schengen were not consistent,
strongly affected domestic views of the delay imposed on
Bulgaria and Romania, as politicians from both countries
insisted that the necessary requirements had been met.
Bulgarian reporting on the issue did reflect the increasing
dissatisfaction shared by the vast majority of the population
over what some perceived to be unfair treatment,
while others saw the delay as a result of the existing corruption
and lack of reforms. As 2011 came to a close, the
issue of Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen remained a hot
topic, with reports mainly discussing the possible dates of
accession set out for 2012.
The other prominent issue in the Bulgarian media
was the Eurozone crisis and the economic turmoil that persisted
throughout 2011, and more specifically its consequences
for Bulgaria. As the economic reality of the Eurozone
countries became increasingly dire, all three news
sources consulted produced articles contrasting the domestic
economic situation with that of other member
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