The Role of Eurosceptic Tabloids in Building Awareness of the British People Ahead of the Referendum on UK Membership in the European Union in 2016

Abstract

The research aimed to explain the role of the leading British tabloids in the 2016 referendum campaign and to show that tabloid populism practised by selected press titles, using several methods and tools, skilfully influenced the formation of public opinion. The study, which was essentially based on content analysis, examined the three most opinion-forming tabloid daily newspapers: “The Sun”, “The Daily Express”, and “The Daily Mail”, which, according to the observers, were and remain populist newspapers. The article is only a contribution to undertaking broader research, the subject of which should be the instrumental role of the British press in shaping attitudes and social opinions hostile to the European Union during Great Britain’s membership in this organization.