Analysis of Euro2024 news coverage by country

Pikasa conducted an analysis of how the Euro2024 tournament was covered in Western Balkans media. This study spanned two weeks before and two weeks after the tournament started. We focused on measuring the amount of news about Euro2024 compared to all other news during June. We reviewed daily content from various media outlets to identify and analyze articles, interviews, reports, and features related to the tournament. Our findings highlight how extensively and in what ways Euro2024 influenced regional media coverage.

As Euro2024 approaches, media coverage across different countries has been diverse, focusing on various aspects of the tournament. Here's a detailed analysis of how news articles are categorized and distributed in Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Serbia

Serbia stands out with the highest percentage of media coverage about their national team's participation in Euro2024. This highlights the intense local interest and support for their team's journey in the tournament. Serbia's media coverage shows that 40% of the articles focus on football matches. Supporter incidents account for 7%, highlighting concerns over fan behavior. The supporter atmosphere is featured in 9% of the articles. While general news covers 39%, providing a diverse range of information. The remaining 5% falls into other categories.

Albania

In Albania, the highest percentage of media coverage is dedicated to their national team's participation in Euro2024. This reflects the strong local support and interest in how their team performs on the international stage. Mentions of other prominent European teams, such as Germany, France, and Italy, are also present but significantly lower compared to the Albanian national team. In Albania, a significant portion of the news coverage, 50%, is dedicated to football matches, highlighting the country's enthusiasm for the sport. Supporter incidents account for 10% of the articles, reflecting concerns over crowd behavior and security. The supporter atmosphere is covered in 5% of the articles, focusing on the fans' experiences and celebrations. General news makes up 35%, indicating a balanced approach to covering various aspects of the tournament. 

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia's news coverage is slightly different, with 46% of articles focusing on football matches. Supporter incidents make up 11.5%, showing a notable concern for safety and security. The supporter atmosphere is covered in 8% of the articles. General news represents 30%, providing a broad overview of the event, and other categories also comprise 4.5%.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, 44% of the news articles are about football matches, demonstrating the country's passion for the sport. Supporter incidents account for 9% of the coverage, reflecting security concerns. Articles about the supporter atmosphere make up 11%, highlighting the vibrant fan culture. Scandals during Euro2024 are covered in 6% of the news, while general news comprises 22%, offering a wide range of information. The remaining 8% falls into other categories.

Montenegro

Montenegro's news coverage shows that 42% of the articles are focused on football matches. Supporter incidents account for 7%, indicating some concern for safety. The supporter atmosphere is featured in 10% of the articles, showcasing the fans' experiences. Scandals constitute 4%, while general news makes up 37%, providing comprehensive coverage of the event. 

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, 39% of the news coverage is dedicated to football matches. Supporter incidents make up 10%, reflecting a significant focus on crowd behavior and safety. The supporter atmosphere is covered in 7% of the articles. Scandals represent 3.5% of the news, while general news constitutes 40.5%, ensuring a well-rounded coverage of the tournament. 

Conclusion

The analysis reveals that the highest percentage of media coverage in Serbia and Albania is dedicated to their national teams' participation in Euro2024, underscoring the local enthusiasm and pride. In contrast, Bosnia and Kosovo have a more balanced coverage, highlighting Albanian and Serbian National teams and other significant teams in the tournament. This indicates a broader interest in the competition and a connection to the performances of neighboring and prominent teams. Across these countries, there is a clear emphasis on football matches, indicating the widespread excitement and interest in Euro2024. However, there are also significant concerns about supporter incidents and the overall atmosphere, reflecting the importance of safety and fan experience. The coverage of scandals, although present, remains relatively low, suggesting that the focus is primarily on the positive aspects of the tournament. General news articles provide a comprehensive overview, ensuring that readers are well-informed about all facets of Euro2024.