Rwanda deal: why the media should focus more on the policy and less on the politics of immigration
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Mercoledì, Febbraio 7, 2024
Much of the coverage has been about the plan to send those who enter the UK without legal paperwork to Rwanda.
Key Points:
- Much of the coverage has been about the plan to send those who enter the UK without legal paperwork to Rwanda.
- We argue that the media ought to take note of this issue as it continues to cover the government’s Rwanda policy.
- To fulfil their obligations as public service broadcasters, the UK’s TV media outlets in particular should focus more on the policy, not the politics.
Party politics over scrutiny
- The vast majority – 72% of stories – discussed the bill in relation to Westminster party politics.
- Specifically, how it would affect politicians’ reputations and prospects in the next election.
- But while most of the news items we examined referenced these obligations, they did not include a robust scrutiny of the legislation.
- What he’s got is a battle in his own party too.”
Personality over policy
- These were largely to do with humanitarian concerns about treatment of child migrants and modern slavery victims.
- Broadcasters focused on how the Conservatives were determined to vote against these recommendations to “send a message” to the Lords.
- Groups like the UN Refugee Agency or the Refugee Council accounted for only 9% of the total sources in our sample.
What is the media’s responsibility?
- Our analysis suggests that broadcasters used this same logic when reporting on regular government activity outside of an election cycle.
- UK public service broadcasters have a responsibility to provide the public with accurate, impartial and informative reporting.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.