Controversial Outsiders A Cross-National Study of Media Attention to the Far-Right 1986-2004

This dissertation investigates media attention to the far-right in daily newspapers from the Netherlands, Germany and Flanders between 1986 and 2004. In order to enable a systematic in depth analysis, the author developed a model of four aspects of media attention to the far-right, which then was applied to analyse the newspaper clippings. The study shows that over time the media attention changed relatively little, especially when compared to the electoral developments and sociogenetic and ideological characteristics of some of the early 21st century representatives of the far-right. Even though some far-right parties moved closer to the political establishment, or even became part of it, their media image remains that of controversial outsiders.