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 man stands on a tram during the day holding his phone and wearing headphones

    Empowering people to hold tech accountable

    We need reform to remove structural barriers to people and civil society taking direct action against tech companies in UK courts – putting more power in the hands of people.
  2. The Home Office building in London

    Earned settlement: Decision time

    The government is imminently due to announce plans for a new model of ‘earned settlement’. These are expected to represent the most significant reforms to indefinite leave to remain in a generation.
  3. A little girl in a red school uniform looks at the camera while another student writes with a pencil next to her

    What comes next: A fairer approach to primary assessment

    England’s primary school accountability and assessment system is not working well for disadvantaged children.