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This volume contributes to the debate within the EU over the "democratic deficit". Why is it that the European Parliament - surely a mechanism for democratic control - is either ignored in British mass media or treated as a "gravy train"? Based on 46 long interviews with British MEPs, a picture emerges of British MEPs being ignored by British national media but able to secure constituency media coverage and influence. Additionally, in different constitutional settings, the same picture emerges in Belgium and the Republic of Ireland. The research suggests that political elites in EU member countries are anxious to control the visibility/influence of the European Parliament, not merely via the Council and Commission, but also by managing their national media into dismissive attitudes towards the Parliament.