Rallying Around or Keeping Distance?: Reactions to Angela Merkel's Coronavirus Address to the Nation in Print and Social Media.

This article centers on former Chancellor Angela Merkel's major standalone televised address to the nation—her coronavirus speech during the initial phase of the covid-19 pandemic—and reactions to it in mainstream German newspapers and among social media users. Employing a case study approach, we in...

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Publicado en:German Politics & Society Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 71 - 93
Autores principales: Neumann, Rico, Masch, Lena
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Berghahn Books Spring2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Rallying Around or Keeping Distance?: Reactions to Angela Merkel's Coronavirus Address to the Nation in Print and Social Media.
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          Neumann, Rico
          Masch, Lena
        affil:
          Researcher, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
          Professor, University of Münster, Germany
      su:
        Merkel, Angela, 1954-
        Alternative für Deutschland (Political party : Germany)
        Social media
        COVID-19 pandemic
        Mass media & politics
        Crisis communication
        Coronaviruses
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          Social media
          COVID-19 pandemic
          Mass media & politics
          Alternative für Deutschland (Political party : Germany)
          Crisis communication
          Coronaviruses
          Merkel, Angela, 1954-
      keyword:
        Alternative for Germany
        Angela Merkel
        case study
        covid-19 pandemic
        echoing press
        media
        political support
        rally-round-the-flag
        Alternative for Germany
        Angela Merkel
        case study
        covid-19 pandemic
        echoing press
        media
        political support
        rally-round-the-flag
      ab: This article centers on former Chancellor Angela Merkel's major standalone televised address to the nation—her coronavirus speech during the initial phase of the covid-19 pandemic—and reactions to it in mainstream German newspapers and among social media users. Employing a case study approach, we investigate the communicative means used by Merkel to generate unity and appeal to people's solidarity, the ways in which the mainstream press echoed or challenged aspects of her speech, and how social media users engaged with the speech online. Merkel's address demonstrates strong persuasive potential that is reflected in public opinion (via high approval ratings), fairly balanced coverage in established newspapers, and generally supportive reactions among most social media users. In contrast, those with links to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on social media used a considerably more negative tone to voice their opinions, often revealing their outright antipathy toward Merkel rather than criticizing pandemic-related policy measures. Implications for political elites' crisis communication are discussed during times of increased uncertainty and against the backdrop of the rise of the far right.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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