Migrants’ Contributions

Scenario

Fostering an evidence-based narrative about migration that highlights migrants’ contributions

Overview

Several factors foster negative messaging about migrants, including some leaders, influencers, individuals and networks who deliberately create misleading narratives and stories about migration and migrants, often spread through traditional and social media. They often take advantage of the difficulties people in society might be facing, such as unemployment and the rising cost of living, and blame migrants for these social and economic issues, even though research shows that these are not migrants’ fault.

The negative messaging about migration often rises before national elections, and at times target specific migration events and initiatives. When not properly checked, social media platforms can play a role in spreading false and negative information about migrants, ignoring migrants’ experiences and contributions. Disinformation on social media often targets and triggers our emotions to provoke fear and outrage, even when the information isn’t true.

Promoting an evidence-based narrative about migration is crucial for acknowledging, using evidence, and maximizing migrants’ contributions to society. Research shows that personal testimonies and stories are important for helping others understand the experiences and challenges many migrants face. Focusing on values like family, freedom and fairness connect with many people, and so do messages that are solutions-focused, offering “two parts solution, one part problem” (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, 2017).

While social media can be used to spread harmful messages about migrants, it can also be used for the amplification of evidence-based, positive messages about migrants. It is also often used by migrants facing hardship, challenges and abuse, for example when they are held for long periods in immigration detention. This helps them raise awareness of abuses and challenges they face, and can foster connections and collaborations with people and organisations who can help them (Cannon and Kanapathi, 2021).

The media has an important role to play. Ethical journalism and evidence-based reporting is important. Improved governance and accountability to address disinformation, including partnerships for fact-checking and content evaluation by human moderators. Digital platforms should ensure safety and privacy in all products, alongside the consistent application of policies across countries and languages. Combating misinformation involves disseminating accurate information, using the “truth sandwich” method, labelling suspect content and empowering community messengers.

Instructions

Divide the class into 4 groups and assign one tool or campaign designed to foster an evidence-based narrative on migration from the list below to each group. Ask students to explore the web pages and documents for each tool or campaign to learn about different ways we can promote an evidence-based narrative on migration.

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Words that work**

• Canada’s Immigration Matters Campaign

• IOM’s I am a Migrant Campaign

• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights campaign How to reframe narratives on migration

Each group should present:

• A summary of the strategy recommended by their specific tool or campaign.

• Examples of how this strategy can be implemented in practice.

• A short script, video recording or social media post (with images etc.) that employs the strategy shared in the tool/campaign they are examining, and which highlights concrete examples of socio-cultural, civic-political and/or economic contributions evident in their own communities.

Reflect on ways students themselves can help promote an evidence-based narrative on migration and migrants that focuses on migrants’ contributions to society.