Channels Television on YouTube

Abstract

The migration of people in large numbers from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and South Sudan, to receiving countries such as South Korea, America, Canada, Russia, and Germany among others remains a challenge because of its attendant violence and conflicts. This study, using descriptive content analysis, examined the comments of Channels Television's YouTube channel commenters, as it relates to migration stories reported online. A total number of 30 YouTube videos on migration were selected based on their recency. Comments under the YouTube videos from January 2018 until April 2019, were examined using descriptive analysis to extract themes from these comments. The theories adopted for this study were the Framing and Priming theories. The analysis of public comments was to understand public discussions on migration and observe future implication of this discourse on inter-national relationships. Results revealed a possible future cultural divide among nations affected by migration if necessary actions are taken globally. The authors fear that such outcome could further promote disunity across nations and deprive individuals of their search for the greener pastures. The prevalent perceptions of the audience on the issue of migration which are advanced by these online comments can lure audience who read these comments but not involved in the discussions to believe and act it out.