When Words Make Fences: A Look Into How Words and Media Narratives Contribute to the Creation of a Fortress Europe

Abstract

This chapter investigates how the words journalists and media outlets use contribute to inaccurate or harmful narratives around migration; and how these narratives can construct narrative fences around assumed ideas of powerlessness. It also explores how every party involved in the migration field can engage in more ethical linguistic practices. As Europe faces the biggest migration of people since World War II it has often been referred to as a fortress in the methods it has taken to secure its borders. This has in turn been reflected in narratives around swarms and perceived threats to the so-called European way of life. The lexicon used by everyone from journalists to aid-workers and academics can influence the perception of a need to protect European boundaries. This chapter will examine how we can contribute to honest and fair narratives, which bring down the fences built to encourage ideas of us and them.