Study Finds Structural Barriers and Persistent Stereotypes in European Migration Coverage

Migration remains one of the most debated issues across Europe, but media coverage often continues to rely on crisis narratives and stereotypes rather than reflecting the continent’s growing diversity. A new European report published by the MILD project (More Correct Information, Less Discrimination) highlights how structural barriers within journalism and persistent framing patterns contribute to the marginalisation of migrant voices in public discourse.

AMAM team during the development of the project's report and training materials

The study, which brings together findings from Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain, is based on interviews with 68 media professionals, researchers and civil society actors. Its conclusions point to a common trend across these countries: migrants and racialised people are frequently discussed in the media, yet rarely given the opportunity to speak for themselves.

Racialised people are represented, but they do not represent

The above quote if from one participant in the research, reflecting a widespread perception among interviewees that migrant communities are often portrayed as subjects of news stories rather than as active contributors to public debate.

According to the report, 91% of respondents say migrant voices remain largely invisible in mainstream media narratives, a gap that not only affects representation but also shapes public understanding of migration. When migrants are absent from storytelling, researchers argue, coverage tends to rely on simplified narratives that reinforce fear or division.

Structural barriers inside newsrooms

The report also identifies systemic obstacles preventing people with migrant backgrounds from entering the journalistic profession. Interviewees across the four countries cited a range of barriers, including language requirements, informal recruitment practices, bureaucratic hurdles and limited diversity policies within media organisations.

More than two-thirds of respondents (67.7%) reported that their organisations lack formal recruitment policies aimed at improving newsroom diversity. As a result, journalism often remains a profession dominated by established social networks and precarious employment conditions, making it difficult for newcomers to access and sustain careers.

Researchers argue that the lack of diversity in newsrooms has direct consequences for editorial decisions and storytelling.

When newsrooms lack plurality of backgrounds, it inevitably shapes which stories are told and whose voices are considered credible, the report notes.

Crisis narratives dominate coverage

Another key finding concerns the way migration is framed in European media. Across the countries studied, migration continues to be portrayed primarily through the lens of crisis, threat or emergency.

In Italy alone, the report found that alarmist terms such as “emergency,” “crisis” and “invasion” appeared 5,925 times in newspapers between 2013 and 2025, reflecting a pattern that researchers say is replicated in other national contexts.

Visual storytelling also plays a role in reinforcing these narratives. Images of boats and sea arrivals are often used even in stories about integration, education or employment, contributing to the perception of migration as a constant emergency rather than a structural social reality.

Representation without voice

The research further highlights what it describes as distorted visibility in media coverage. Migrants frequently appear in news reports, but often in limited roles — portrayed as victims, security concerns or social problems rather than as citizens, professionals or experts.

In Italy, for example, only 7% of television segments about migration include migrant voices, a figure that has remained largely unchanged over the years. This imbalance, the report argues, undermines pluralism and weakens democratic debate by excluding perspectives from communities directly affected by migration policies and narratives.

A more diverse Europe, but not in the media

The findings come at a time when Europe is becoming increasingly diverse. The European Union’s population of 449.3 million people includes 17.9 million residents born in another EU country and 29 million born outside the EU.

Yet despite this demographic reality, media discourse often fails to reflect the complexity of contemporary European societies. Racism and discrimination are rarely framed as structural issues, while political agendas frequently shape how migration is reported.

At the same time, the spread of disinformation and online hate speech is adding further pressure to the information environment.

Surveys cited in the report show that 45% of Europeans identify fake news as a major concern, while 22% point to hate speech as a growing problem in public debate.

Improving representation in the media is not only a question of fairness, It is essential for strengthening democratic dialogue and social cohesion, the report states.

What needs to change

The MILD European Report outlines several priority areas for reform, including diversifying newsroom recruitment, introducing structured anti-discrimination policies, and providing systematic training on inclusive journalism.

Researchers also emphasise the importance of shifting from reporting about migrants to reporting with them — ensuring that migrant communities are represented not only as subjects but also as voices and experts in public conversations.

The report calls for stronger collaboration between journalists, civil society organisations and migrant communities to develop more inclusive and accurate storytelling practices.

Looking ahead

The findings are part of the broader work of the MILD project, an EU-funded initiative coordinated by Lunaria (Italy) in partnership with the African Media Association Malta, ANTIGONE (Greece), Carta di Roma (Italy) and Maldita.es (Spain). Through research, training and communication initiatives, the project aims to improve the quality and fairness of media narratives about migration across Europe.

The European report is available in English, Maltese, Italian, Greek and Spanish and can be downloaded online.

As part of the project’s next phase, the MILD European training course on participatory journalism, media representation and countering discriminatory narratives will be launched online on 23 March 2026.

The course will offer practical tools for journalists, media professionals and civil society actors seeking to promote more accurate and inclusive communication.

Download the report by clicking on the cover picture