Media Coverage of Migration Based on International Law and Evidence: Journalist Guide

"Given the way migration is shaping the political landscape around the globe, it is critical for the public to have access to accurate and evidence- and human rights-based information."

From the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Tunisia, this guide is designed to be a resource for journalists to run interactive workshops for other journalists who are reporting, or plan to report, on migration. The objective of the training is to give participants an understanding of the regional and international context of migration, explain the terminology of migration, and consider existing media coverage of migration, especially related to the ethical aspects of reporting. The guide also presents a primer on the international legal framework governing migration. It is hoped that this resource, and the trainings that will be guided by it, will contribute to more evidence- and human rights-based, ethical, and responsible reporting on migration.

The guide is intended for journalists and media professionals working for public or private media, both print or online. However, it may also be an appropriate resource for training other audiences dealing with migration issues, such as persons working with associations or humanitarian organisations, civil society players, senior public officials, and educators.

After a very brief overview in Module 1, the training is divided into the following:

Module 2: A Global World: examines international migration and related issues, with supporting maps and figures. It dispels common myths on migration, explaining, for example, that, contrary to popular belief, approximately three-quarters of global migrants are internal rather than international migrants, and that the latter are mostly migrant workers, members of their families, and students.

Module 3: Terminology - The Word Factory: focuses on migration terminology, an area that is frequently misunderstood by the public and by media professionals. The module proposes methods to measure the number of regular migrants - the majority of migrant population - and irregular migrants in a country. It emphasises that, under international law, irregular migration should be decriminalised. It also provides participants with the knowledge to use the appropriate terminology to describe various categories of migrants, based on international law.

Module 4: Representations - The Picture Factory: allows participants to analyse the depiction of migrants in the media. It makes the point that photos and pictures of migrants in the media can have an enduring impact on public opinion, either positively or negatively. Thus, photographers and editors must consider the impact a picture is likely to have on the public discourse on migration. This interactive module allows participants to debate the merits of images showing migration, and it offers a chance to analyse pictures that have influenced public opinion. It also looks at the different ways photos can be depicted, deepening participants' understanding of the power of pictures in shaping public opinion.

Module 5: Professional Challenges: focuses on the ethical and integrity-related dilemmas faced by journalists and looks at how journalists can cover the issues in the midst of heated debate, where migrants themselves may be vulnerable. It highlights the need to respond to the main clichés and stereotypes about migration; the need to give a voice to migrants; and how to cover migration ethically and professionally in a way that can contribute to change.

Module 6: Recommendations: provides suggestions on how the media can operate in a more responsible manner when they undertake migration coverage, which would entail embracing evidence and international law while rejecting sensationalism. It summarises the guidance given across all modules, with six rules for journalists specialising in migration.