Between Visibility and Bias: What Malta’s Media Reveals About Migration Narratives

Migration is one of Malta’s most discussed topics, yet the voices of migrants themselves rarely shape the public conversation.  In the framework of the MILD project (More Correct Information, Less Discrimination), the African Media Association Malta explored how migration is represented in Maltese media and what this means for public understanding.

The research interviews, conducted with journalists, academics and media advocates, revealed that migration is still most often portrayed through crisis-focused narratives. Even when stories address everyday life, employment, or integration, the images used tend to return to familiar symbols of arrival. As one participant noted:

Even if the article is about school or success, the photo still shows a boat. It shapes the story before you even read it.

This reliance on crisis imagery reinforces stereotypes, presenting migrants as collective problems rather than individuals with identities, skills, and aspirations. Participants also described a pattern of selective empathy. Some groups, particularly Europeans and Ukrainians, receive more sympathetic coverage, while African and Middle Eastern migrants are more likely to be associated with illegality or threat. One interviewee acknowledged a  clear double standard:

Two people escaping danger are treated differently depending on where they come from.

These differences reflect deeper social and political dynamics that influence how the public perceives various migrant communities.

Another recurring concern is the absence of migrant voices in mainstream reporting. Migrants are often spoken about but rarely heard directly. Interviews are short, carefully controlled, or replaced by commentary from officials and institutions. One participant explained that:

Migrants speak for a few seconds, then the rest of the story is others talking about them.

This lack of representation makes it harder for the public to see migrants as part of Malta’s social fabric.

At the same time, the research highlights areas of real progress. Some journalists are actively challenging stereotypes by using more respectful language, diversifying their sources, and providing better context.

These shifts show that more balanced, human-centred reporting is possible. But they also underline the need for stronger newsroom guidelines, ongoing training, and deeper collaboration between journalists and migrant communities.

The full report is available for download here.