This thesis researches how UK news media report on refugee policies for Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian migrants. Using a double comparative case study and discourse analysis, the study explores...Show moreThis thesis researches how UK news media report on refugee policies for Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian migrants. Using a double comparative case study and discourse analysis, the study explores differences in coverage, since this can have major influence on public opinion and government policies. The thesis found that the conservative news media were in favour of the Rwanda Asylum Plan, whereas the liberal news media opposed the plan. Reporting on Ukrainian refugees was much more positive and sympathetic, using personal stories and interviews. Racial connotations and ethnic backgrounds contribute to the divergent coverage. The study contributes to understanding different treatment of migrant groups and the role of news media in shaping policies and public opinion.Show less
Since 2017, the Netherlands can instrumentalise citizenship deprivation of foreign fighters located abroad as a counterterrorism measure if it is deemed necessary in the context of national...Show moreSince 2017, the Netherlands can instrumentalise citizenship deprivation of foreign fighters located abroad as a counterterrorism measure if it is deemed necessary in the context of national security. This measure was to be evaluated in late 2021 for its effectiveness. Prior to this debate, Dutch governmental advisory bodies, next to academic literature, released reports advising against the measure’s effectiveness. Nonetheless, the decision was made to prolong the policy on citizenship deprivation of foreign fighters abroad, therefore disregarding expert advice. This study adopts a qualitative thematic analysis and an inductive coding process to investigate the political attitudes and positions of political parties and actors involved in the 2021 debate to identify possible underlying reasons for justifying the prolongation of the policy. An underlying reason identified for the justifications made by political parties and actors is their political positions: distinctions in attitudes on the topic between left- and right-wing parties are identified. Another underlying reason is that political parties tend to ignore experts if their advice does not align with the political parties' interests and agenda. Therefore, political parties' and actors’ justifications can be explained by their political attitudes, positions, and agenda.Show less
This thesis looks at the influence and impact of the 'us vs. them' framework on immigration control in Dutch Twitter discourse, as well as its effects on Dutch citizens' alienation from immigrants...Show moreThis thesis looks at the influence and impact of the 'us vs. them' framework on immigration control in Dutch Twitter discourse, as well as its effects on Dutch citizens' alienation from immigrants and refugees. The influence of the framework on empathy towards immigrants is researched using a qualitative analysis of Twitter data concerning the Ter Apel crisis between January 2021 and September 2022. This crisis sparked public debate on Dutch immigration policy as immigrants fell victim to poor living conditions due to overcrowding at the asylum centre. Through thematic analysis reoccurring themes and narratives were found that reveal the dynamics of empathy and alienation. The findings reveal that the us vs. them narrative lets Dutch citizens adopt an exclusionary stance that fuels prejudice and portrays immigrants and refugees as a threat to Dutch society and identity. In addition, the framework also initiates a sense of alienation toward immigrants which amplifies failures of empathy and stereotyping.Show less
Since April 2019, Russia has conducted passportization in the Donbas region (Atland, 2020). Although this form of mass extraterritorial naturalization is not illegal, it is considered troublesome...Show moreSince April 2019, Russia has conducted passportization in the Donbas region (Atland, 2020). Although this form of mass extraterritorial naturalization is not illegal, it is considered troublesome by the international community (Natoli, 2010; Peters, 2010; Traunmüller, 2013). Moreover, Eastern Ukraine is not the first conflicted area confronted with this practice (Hoffman & Chochia, 2018; Natoli, 2010). Since passportization is regarded as a potential security threat (Burkhardt et al., 2022b; Traunmüller, 2013), this thesis explores how Ukraine framed Russia’s passportization in the Donbas region between the 24th of April 2019 and the 23rd of February 2022. In particular, the analysis leans on securitization theory. A total of twenty-one official statements, speeches, and interviews by government representatives and President Zelenskyy were analyzed. Findings suggest that, indeed, the passportization is predominantly framed as a security threat.Show less
The purpose of this study is to gain insights on how the causes of the EU-Belarus border crisis are framed by Belarusian state-controlled media by answering the research question: in what ways do...Show moreThe purpose of this study is to gain insights on how the causes of the EU-Belarus border crisis are framed by Belarusian state-controlled media by answering the research question: in what ways do Belarusian state-controlled media use framing tactics in their reporting to explain the EU-Belarus border crisis? This research employs qualitative thematic analysis on 32 selected articles from two major Belarusian news outlets to explain how the frames are constructed and what framing techniques are used. This research found that four major meta-narratives can be distinguished, that are supported by several frames: the EU has caused the crisis itself; the EU, Poland and the Baltic states have something to gain, the West has caused the crisis due to involvement in the Middle East; and the US and NATO want war in the region as to weaken Russia. Four additional frames support these meta-narratives: violence; human rights; nazi’s in the military; and Belarus as a victim. This research found that the Belarusian statecontrolled media construct narratives that support meta-narratives through which the conflict can be seen and understood. Reasoning devices in combination with the framing tactics of one-sided reporting, omittance of information and disinformation are used in constructing these frames and narratives.Show less
