Between media representations and lived experiences. Refugees in German media and their everyday realities

Abstract

Representations of refugees in the media play a significant role in shaping how they are perceived by mainstream society. This study examines how refugees are portrayed in traditional German media and identifies the dominant narratives and frames. By incorporating the perspectives of social workers as well as the voices of people who came to Germany to seek protection, the study reveals that the identified media narratives differ significantly from refugees’ everyday experiences in Germany. Furthermore, the study provides insights into how media narratives, and the media more generally, can affect the daily lives of refugees. Moreover, participants offered a range of constructive ideas on how media representations could become more diverse, nuanced, and authentic. Building on these ideas, as well as the findings of the study, a media policy recommendation was developed at the end of this thesis. This recommendation is based on the idea that the media are not only part of the problem but can also be part of the solution.