No government mouthpieces: Changes in the framing of the “migration crisis” in German news and infotainment media

Abstract

This study investigates the German media’s framing of the 2015–2016 “migration crisis” and their support and criticism of the initial open-door policy. A standardized content analysis examines changes in media frames following the key event of assaults on New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2015. It is analyzed how changes in coverage differed between public broadcasting news and infotainment formats (talk and satirical shows) and how they were related to governmental communication. The findings contradict ideas of a state-conforming and uniform coverage of the “migration crisis.” Media coverage did not parallel the governmental switch from support for the open-door policy to ambivalence after the NYE incidents but challenged governmental communication with critical counter frames. Regarding support for the open-door policy, the news media showed some parallels to the government’s frames; however, the infotainment media deviated in their frame agenda from the news media and thus contributed to diversity in media discourse.

The “refugee crisis” as an opportunity structure for right-wing populist social movements: The case of PEGIDA

“…2 During this humanitarian "crisis", several hundred thousand refugees applied for asylum in Europe within only a few months, with the question of their admission and treatment soon turning into a source of perpetual controversy. Even in Germany, the European country most affected by their arrival, the initially warm and welcoming attitude of the public evaporated with time and gave way to increasing skepticism (see Lichtenstein, 2021). 3 Calls to close borders and tighten asylum policies became common by late 2015, with a notable effect on PEGIDA's discursive relevance.…”