The media landscape in the migration context

News consumption habits have changed, largely due to digital and social media. The result of these changes is a much more fragmented media landscape. People still rely on the media to make sense of key issues like migration, however, so the implications of migration misinformation, spread virally through the media, are severe. Factually flawed, one-dimensional or biased media coverage can erode public goodwill or support for migrants and migration, turning them into cultural scapegoats, and can lead to integration challenges (Berry, Garcia-Blanco and Moore, 2015).

It can be difficult for government officials to know exactly how much and what information has been shared or released for public consumption, particularly on sensitive topics. For this reason, how migrants and migration are represented and described by politicians in the media matters. Indeed, migration reporting often relies on the voices that dominate the political landscape. Two-way channels of communication between the government and the media are time intensive but very effective. Such channels can include making press releases, producing background reports and giving media interviews.

Accurate information may be the single most important policy tool in all societies faced with increasing diversity (IOM, 2011). Evidence-based policymaking is needed to support a variety of communication projects for a variety of target audiences. At the same time, however, reporting numbers and statistics without context can make people feel besieged and can undermine public empathy.

Stand-alone data can sensationalize, politicize or stereotype, and so it should be provided as part of a holistic package of information. For instance, considerations should be given to the difference between migration “stock” versus “flow,” while allowing the former to be reported rather than the latter . “Net” versus “gross” migration, as well as “total” versus “rate” can also be confused. As a result, people often hear “the number of immigrants went up by x” rather than “the immigration rate fell from x immigrants per 1,000 population to x" (see Data, research and analysis for policymaking).

Presenting only the facts, such as data and statistics on migration, impersonalizes or dehumanizes migrants by rendering them anonymous and androgynous. It reinforces the sense of the Other among receiving communities, with detrimental effect.

Providing additional human-interest information in different formats to illustrate data findings can help journalists put a human face on the story. Helping journalists to easily access migrants and their stories can have the same effect. A people-centred approach conveys information and messages more deeply and seamlessly to wider, less specialized audiences. Such an approach also concretely demonstrate migrants’ contribution to the receiving country, makes them more relatable to receiving communities, and can change attitudes. Images are a powerful tool for multi-layered messaging that can help change perceptions of migrants. For example, images of migrants in first responder situations like health, law enforcement and emergencies, or in crucial sectors such as technology, education, agriculture or business, are a subtle demonstration of migrants integrated into society, contributing to its social and economic development. A showing and telling approach using personal testimonies is particularly effective for relatability and empathy.

• Joint thematic briefings by representatives from different ministries provide balanced, whole-of-government information, build media expertise and improve overall reporting. Content, frequency and tone of government communication and media reporting all influence public attitudes.
• Specialized training for the media on principles for migration reporting, particularly at frontline local level, demonstrates government’s commitment to fair and accurate journalism.
• Transparent communication concerning both the positive and negative aspects of migration is essential for public and media trust and government accountability.
• Different government agencies should work together when communicating facts and figures to ensure consistency and credibility while reducing possibilities for ill-informed policymaking.
• Connecting media with migrant and community associations promotes a culture of balanced media reporting through the inclusion of diverse voices.