Today's story provides a handy guide to the dark arts of the press
It is a truth universally acknowledged that migrants get a rough ride in the British press. But how do they do it?
Today’s Daily Mail provides a crash course in the dark arts of demonising migrants. Here are some of the basics:
1. Do not refer to migrants as people.
It is of the first importance that these people not be seen as human. Instead, use words like ‘figures’, ‘numbers’, ‘influx’ – or indeed, ‘migrant’, which simply means a person who moves from one place to another.
2. Use numbers instead of words where possible.
Words can be slippery. To avoid breaking step 1, use numbers like 18,000, as in today’s story. This helps creates the idea of migration as a pest control problem, or a force of nature, rather than a man-made crisis that involves human lives.
3. Use the language of crime.
Discuss migrants as you would criminals. Some examples from today’s story are ‘sneak’, ‘evade’, ‘targeting’ and ‘caught’. These are bad people doing a bad thing. They deserve to be punished. (Add a scary picture of dark-skinned people if you can.)
4. Do not quote people who care about migrants.
Pick your sources with care. Organisations which worry about the safety of migrants should not be quoted if possible (as they are not in today’s story). This might cause readers to see another side of the story, learn about its context and the causes of migration, hear ideas for solutions, and even empathise with the migrants themselves. Instead, seek quotes from police, tough-guy politicians, truck drivers, British tourists, and so on.
5. Do not speak to migrants.
This may be the most important step. Under no circumstances should you interview the people trying to reach Britain. Asking about their experiences and motivations, or just about their family or their favourite food, could risk readers seeing them as human, and should be avoided at all costs. This includes the cost of good stories or honest journalism.
There are other steps, and not all of these are kept all the time. Reports of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean has broken through the usual filters as a regrettable anomaly. Generally though, some adherence to the above will ensure you write about migrants correctly.
Adam Barnett is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow MediaWatch on Twitter
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39 Responses to “Daily Mail’s 5 step guide to demonising migrants”
David Davies
The Heil are only bothered about IMMIGRANTS. They do not give a flying frolic about emigrants on the Costa Del Crime.
Harold
My Grandmother was a Liberal and a devout Methodist, she normally voted Tory, but she taught me compassion, caring and helping others. She told me about the ills of the 1930’s and how poor the Governments of the fifty were. To her no matter where you lived you were her equal. Consequently I grew up from a young age having views to the left, supported Trade Unions as they gave working people a voice and along with the belief working was good have always supported what I hope are good causes.
Equally I have met many, many right wing simple solution experts, the man in the pub or the barrack room lawyer, who have a nice simple one sentence answer to all issues. The latest example I heard this week, was the idea the army should be sent into France and open fire on the immigrants including the children. I have always bemoaned low incomes for the simple reason they are wrong, but at the times in my life when I have earned good money should I have suddenly thought I had become a Tory?
Harold
I do not buy on price only fools do that, quality must be the first, second and third choice. I strongly agree purchasing should be directed to firms who treat their staff well. There should be a list of employers, perhaps the one the Tory press kindly gave us at the election would be a good start, who consumers should avoid.
Harold
Self employed people can demand a higher wage, they increase the quality and put the price up. Equally if I was to work for a low paying employer, what is wrong in organising and then asking for better terms in the Contract of Employment?