Framing Brexit: The role, and the impact, of the national newspapers on the EU Referendum

A content analysis of top selling newspapers in the United Kingdom shows a significant level of support given to the pro-Leave campaign leading to the Referendum on June 23, 2016, on whether the United Kingdom should remain a European Union member. The national newspapers’ influence on the outcome of the Referendum can be seen through the application of repetitive frames that highlighted long-established concerns around “taking control,” “democracy” and “sovereignty.