Biased Migration Reporting in Origo: Fuelling Fear and Xenophobia
This article was written by GTTO partner CIJ in Hungary.
The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion, particularly on sensitive issues like migration. Unfortunately, two recent articles from Origo exemplify how irresponsible reporting can amplify xenophobia and reinforce harmful stereotypes about migrants. These articles are part of a broader pattern seen in many media outlets, which focus disproportionately on negative stories about migrants, often framing them as a threat to society. This type of biased reporting is especially concerning as it fuels fear, discrimination, and exclusionary attitudes.
The first article from Origo (English translation of headline: Record high number of crimes committed by immigrants in Germany) highlights migrant-related crime in Germany, implying a direct and exaggerated link between migration and criminal activity. By focusing solely on negative incidents involving migrants, the article distorts public perception, creating the false impression that migration is inherently tied to crime. Such reporting is dangerous as it overlooks important socioeconomic factors that often influence crime rates, such as poverty and social exclusion. Additionally, the article fails to provide context, such as how crime rates among non-migrants might compare or whether these incidents are statistically significant.
By singling out migrants without acknowledging the broader context, this type of reporting subtly reinforces xenophobic attitudes. It suggests that migrants are inherently problematic or dangerous, rather than individuals often fleeing violence, persecution, or economic hardship. This distorted narrative not only misinforms the public but also exacerbates societal divisions, increasing discrimination and hostility towards refugee and migrant communities.
The second article (English translation of headline: Citizens of Brussels are living in fear) focuses on migration in Brussels, painting a picture of fear and insecurity tied to the presence of migrants. By emphasising police involvement and associating migration with threats to public safety, the article draws on sensationalism to provoke emotional reactions from readers. This type of fearmongering reporting perpetuates harmful stereotypes about migrants, casting them as security risks rather than people seeking safety or better opportunities.
Similarly, the Get the Trolls Out! media monitoring has observed that anti-migrant rhetoric often overlaps with anti-Muslim hate in UK and European media space. The ‘Us versus Them’ framing commonly portrays Muslim migrants as not only security threats but also as culturally incompatible with Western values. This reoccurring rhetoric is deeply troubling as it strengthens negative stereotypes and dehumanises Muslim communities. Furthermore, a common theme observed amongst the media landscape within Europe, is the debunked conspiracy great replacement ‘ethno-nationalist narrative [that] warns that “native Europeans” - e.g. white, Christian - are at risk of being destroyed and replaced through migration, low white birth-rates, and violence’.
In Hungary, this intersection of anti-migrant and anti-Muslim sentiment is particularly pronounced, often amplified by state-sponsored media outlets. The government's rhetoric, since 2015-16 heavily leaned on portraying Muslim migrants as a threat to Hungarian culture and security. This has reinforced far-right narratives and normalised xenophobic and Islamophobic attitudes in the public discourse, which continue to shape perceptions of both migration and Islam today.
The consequences go beyond shaping public perception—it fosters hostility and makes it more likely for Muslims to experience hate crimes or violence. By blending anti-migrant and anti-Muslim narratives, media outlets contribute to an environment where Muslim communities feel marginalised, making it harder for them to feel accepted. Such narratives are not only inaccurate but also play directly into the hands of far-right rhetoric. By stoking fears of migration, this type of coverage undermines efforts to foster inclusivity and tolerance. It lacks nuance and fails to explore the complex realities of migration, such as the challenges migrants face in adapting to host countries or the difficulties in creating fair and humane migration policies. Instead, it simplifies the issue, presenting migrants as a monolithic group that poses a threat to society.
Both articles contribute to a troubling trend in media coverage, where migrants are disproportionately framed as criminals or security threats. This skewed portrayal not only misrepresents the reality of migration but also actively hinders social cohesion. By consistently framing migrants in a negative light, media outlets like Origo fuel exclusionary attitudes, polarise societies, and make it harder for constructive dialogue around migration to occur. Moreover, such reporting does a disservice to the public by failing to provide a balanced, fact-based understanding of migration issues.
Migration is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon that requires nuanced coverage—coverage that takes into account the economic, social, and political factors that shape migration patterns. When media outlets reduce it to a simplistic narrative of fear and threat, they undermine efforts to promote tolerance, empathy, and inclusivity.
At Get the Trolls Out!, we work to combat such harmful narratives and promote responsible, balanced media coverage. By calling out xenophobic, fearmongering content, we aim to foster a media landscape that is inclusive, fair, and free of hate.
