This master thesis consists of a theoretical and research part. The theoretical part describes the economic, historical and political context of Spain and Catalonia and a referendum on Catalonia's independence. The research was conducted through an analysis of speeches, performances, and interviews by former Catalan Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont and former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Also through articles on the following two Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo and El Pais and two Catalan daily newspaper La Vanguardia and Periodico de Catalunya, their online editions, between September 1 and October 31, 2017. The method used in this research is a case study, with the goal of finding out in which way political parties/leaders in the referendum campaign for independence represented the main topics, problems, and issues of the referendum. The analysis showed that former Catalan Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont was resolutely, positively and optimistically presenting key topics, problems and the issue of the referendum and sending messages to encourage, support and give hope to the Catalans, while former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy used threats, warnings, and violence to cause fear and panic. Also, the thesis that political parties and leaders have complete control over the content and can manipulate it was confirmed because both leaders were able to focus attention on certain topics in relation to the other. Thus, the media published precisely these topics and massages in the way they defined them.