The Modern Immigrant: Syrian Refugees
Oftentimes, citizens don’t directly interact with refugees. Although their countries may be accepting immigrants, the native people themselves generally only learn about these foreigners through another source: the media. The media’s use of specific diction and biased information easily warps the public's view of immigrants, creating hostile attitudes that prevent migrants from easily integrating into the new environment.
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The civil war within Syria has prompted thousands of refugees to flee their homeland in order to avoid conflict and devastation. However, goodwill towards Syrian refugees has faded as the war drags on and the influx of refugees only continues to grow. Host governments have constantly used the media to express their displeasure over the increasing number of Syrian refugees, presenting biased information that portray Syrian immigrants as a burden to society while excluding the positive benefits they also provide for the economy.
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This viewpoint is shared by many host countries, whose use of harsh diction and slanted evidence in the media has prompted many citizens to adopt a aggressive front towards immigration as a whole. The media often responds to trends and attitudes reflected by the people, and so increased antagonism will only prompt the press to report more negative perceptions regarding immigrants that further feed the vicious cycle.
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Lebanese foreign minister Gebran Bassil has expressed impatience over the country’s Syrian refugees, arguing that “it is not in anyone’s interest for Lebanon’s economy to collapse under heavy migration. The circumstances in Syria have changed and many areas are safe. There is no reason for refugees to stay.” |