Seeking Scapegoats: The coverage of asylum in the UK press. Working paper 5 of the 'asylum and migration' series

Article

In this fifth paper of ippr's asylum and migration working paper series, Roy Greenslade takes a look at the representation of this issue in the media asking how the media generate the stories, the role of the press in generating stereotypes, and how government policy is influenced by media coverage.

Asylum and migration issues have never been higher on the political and policy agendas. The unprecedented scale of movement of people for reasons of protection, employment and family reunion to both the UK and Europe as a whole poses economic, social and political opportunities and challenges.

This is an area of policy making that is fast moving and involves many different stakeholders at the international, national and local levels. ippr's Asylum and Migration Working Paper Series has been established to provide a vehicle for examining the evidence in relation to specific aspects of policy and practice in this area.

In this fifth paper of the series, Roy Greenslade takes a look at the representation of this issue in the media asking how the media generate the stories, the role of the press in generating stereotypes, and how government policy is influenced by media coverage.

View the other papers in the series here. All are available free of charge.

Related items

  1. A row of international flags flying in the breeze outside a building in Paris on a sunny day

    Diversifying diplomacy: UK strategy in a fragmenting world

    How the UK might build more durable international partnerships in energy, defence and technology.
  2. A 'To Let' sign outside a row of houses on a residential street, UK

    High housing costs in the private rental sector: The case for action

    45 per cent of all private renters in the UK have unaffordable rents. It's time for the government to act to limit rent increases.
  3. A wide shot of several large commercial vessels, including oil tankers and a survey boat, floating on turquoise water. In the background, an industrial shoreline with numerous smokestacks and refinery infrastructure is visible under a cloudy sky. Concept of global logistics, maritime industry, and international trade.

    Price caps and economic stability: How to manage the Iran war energy shock?

    The Iran war energy shock will impose significant costs on the UK economy, even if the government does not offer a universal support package.