Mainstream media plays a central role in the representation of refugees and displaced people.

Some elements of Western media in particular have used stereotypes and tropes to portray refugees from outside Europe negatively. This fuels xenophobia, discrimination and racism. This was clearly illustrated in 2022 by the contrasting reception in many European countries of white Ukrainian refugees compared to the treatment of Black, Arab and Asian refugees also fleeing the country.

In 2017 the Council of Europe published  a report that analysed the media’s handling of the 2015 so-called ‘migrant crisis.’ It found that the promotion of hate speech and hostility towards migrants and refugees was systematic and persistent in parts of the media – particularly in some parts of Eastern Europe, but also in countries across the continent.

Alongside the issues of negative representation in the media, refugee journalists also have to cope with the lack of visibility of people from minority ethnic backgrounds within the wider industry.

This lack of representation exposes the inequalities embedded into career progression within the media industry. Moreover, it could dissuade experienced refugee journalists and media workers from pursuing careers within the sector.