Refugees, Media, and Public Opinion: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives
The complex interplays between processes of migration and refuge seeking, public perceptions of migrant religion and religious practices, and political radicalization toward the far right have taken center stage in academic and political debates. Migration flows are among the defining sociopolitical conditions in many countries across the world. Particularly in receiving countries, migration is often associated with threats to the native population, with religion taking a decisive role in triggering and marking such threats. Such public perceptions, in turn, are seen as the roots of political radicalization. The political consequences are diverse, ranging from more restrictive migration policies to successes of far-right parties in elections and referenda. Media take a vital role in these processes, as carrier and interpreter of editorial or party-controlled information as well as source and platform for interpersonal types of communication.