Media Discourse on Migrant Crisis and Migrants

Abstract

Adequate response of institutions to the migrant crisis also implies responsible media reporting. Printed and on-line media respect ethical principles and standards when writing about the phenomenon of migration and the consequences it has at the beginning of the new millennium to an extent that depends not only on the editorial concept, but also on the expertise of those reporting. Data violating the right to a dignified and serene life, privacy and security are often presented in the texts regarding the migrants. The presentation and analysis of the three-month empirical research conducted in the period from June to August 2018, considering the media reporting manner, indicate that there are differences between the analyzed daily newspapers Politika, Dnevnik, Danas, Blic and Kurir in their approach to the topic of migrants and the migrant crisis. The identification of migrants, endless descriptions of the possible reasons for the migrant crisis occurrence, and the inclusion of data that are not directly related to a process of being informed, as well as the often stigmatization of migrants are just some of the problems found in media discourse. There are differences between the media, within the aim of the research to determine the types and the extent of violations, that is, respecting of basic human rights in writing. By this kind of reporting, this vulnerable group has been additionally marked, with frequent violations even of the presumptions of innocence. Texts on affirmative activities of governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as local self- government units, by themselves, are not frequent, as they are not representing current forms in writing.