RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM AND THE 4TH POWER

The following article takes stock of the insights of communications research on the role played by the media vis-a-vis right-wing extremism as the ''normal pathology'' of a democratic society. Available content analysis findings focus primarily on the presentation of foreigners and reporting on right-wing extremism. They are systematized in analogy to the functional levels of the agenda-setting model. Individual press and media tendencies can be identified in the setting and structuring of themes, which could contribute towards the creation of right-wing extremist potentials. The level of communications research knowledge on this aspect, however, leaves a great deal to be desired. Finally, therefore, ideas are formulated for an extension of the perspective which integrates new approaches from the fields of research on right-wing extremism and the analysis of social structures.