The Influence of Media Coverage on the Negative Perception of Migrants in Chile

Andrés Scherman, Nicolle Etchegaray, Isabel Pavez and Daniela Grassau
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Andrés Scherman: Department of Communication, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Roc Boronat 138, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Nicolle Etchegaray: Millennium Nucleus Center for the Study of Politics, Public Opinion and Media in Chile (MEPOP, NCS2021_063), Vergara 323, Santiago 8370139, Chile
Isabel Pavez: Millennium Nucleus Center for the Study of Politics, Public Opinion and Media in Chile (MEPOP, NCS2021_063), Vergara 323, Santiago 8370139, Chile
Daniela Grassau: Millennium Nucleus Center for the Study of Politics, Public Opinion and Media in Chile (MEPOP, NCS2021_063), Vergara 323, Santiago 8370139, Chile

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: How mass media frame information about migrants is vital to further their well-being and social inclusion in the host society. However, it can also encourage forms of discrimination and xenophobia. In Chile, migration is a theme of great relevance due to a substantial increase in the flow of migrants over the last ten years, as well as the acts of extreme violence toward this group. Thus, this research analyzes how mass media coverage of migrants influences Chileans’ perception of migrants. Adopting an experimental design, we implemented a large-scale, representative online survey with citizens over 18 years of age (N = 2227) and an experiment with combined access to positive and negative news about migrants in different news outlets. The regression analysis showed differences between citizens regarding the type of daily relationships they are willing to maintain with the migrant population. Furthermore, exposure to news about migration was the primary variable that explains why people consider this phenomenon one of the main problems affecting the country, confirming the agenda-setting theory. The experiment also indicated a causal relationship between the exposure to negative content and negative judgment about this group and their presence in the country.

Keywords: migration; well-being; mass media; Chile; framing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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