Migration in media: What do young people think about biased content?

We had a discussion with Khoula Liaqat, Komal Azram Raja, Faith Adeniyi and Rahele Akbari, focusing on misinformation and bias regarding migration in media. The discussion began by asking: What kind of misinformation or bias have you noticed in the media content about portraying migrants?

Participants quickly pointed out that misinformation often stems from the actions of a single individual, which significantly shapes public attitudes towards migrants and refugees. This bias creates and reinforces negative stereotypes, fostering fear and resentment, and influencing policy decisions.

One prevalent issue raised by Khoula Liaqat was how newspapers often highlight the accused's nationality when reporting a crime involving a migrant. This practice unfairly pressures the entire community, painting everyone from that nationality with the same brush. For instance, if a foreigner commits a crime, the community as a whole is held responsible, perpetuating the stereotype that all individuals from that country are similar.

Conversely, the discussion participants pointed out an inconsistency in media reporting practices in Finland. The media often omits the identity or nationality when the accused is a local or EU citizen. However, when a migrant is involved, the individual's nationality is prominently mentioned, and the language used to describe the accused tends to differ. This discrepancy in reporting highlights a bias that can perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to misinformation.

We then explored the role of misinformation in shaping public attitudes towards migrants and refugees. It was clear that misinformation significantly shapes public attitudes, often fostering negative perceptions. The media plays a pivotal role in this process, as journalists have the power to narrate stories that influence public opinion.

As participants pointed out, the media frequently portrays migrants negatively, which casts a shadow over entire communities. People who follow these stories tend to be misinformed, often without realizing it, and their perceptions of these communities are altered. This biased representation contributes to widespread misconceptions and reinforces harmful stereotypes about migrants and refugees.

It was concluded that media shapes the stereotypes, and society enforces them. This cycle of misinformation and reinforcement perpetuates harmful biases, further marginalizing migrant and refugee communities.

During discussion the ladies were also reflecting the role and responsibility of media users and doers of the content.