Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Thöne, Eva
• Dell'Orto, Giovanna
• Wetzstein, Irmgard

Titel

Torn between Transparency and Stereotypes: How to Report About Refugees and Crime

Ist Teil von

• Refugee News, Refugee Politics, 2019, Vol.1, p.195-202

Auflage

1

Ort / Verlag

Routledge

Erscheinungsjahr

2019

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This chapter, by an editor for the special project “The New Arrivals” for the leading German weekly newsmagazine Der Spiegel, explains how, in order to keep the discourse about migration in Europe alive, she and her fellow journalists did their best to avoid one-dimensional characterizations of refugees. There is one simplification in particular that created much controversy and debate among German journalists: Under which circumstances, if ever, is it appropriate to publish the nationality of a criminal offender in an article? Does the suggested causality between crime (especially sexual offenses) and nationality simply always replicate racist stereotypes? What are the consequences of mentioning nationality – and of not doing so – given the declining trust that the public has in the media? The German Press Council softened its strict guidelines after the mass assaults in Cologne and other events, and now suggests that it is ethical to publish the nationality “if a reasonable public interest exists.” It is only one facet, but part of the larger question of how a refugee is portrayed in the media, which plays an important role for the process of integration and, given the mass arrivals since 2015, may even influence politics. This chapter explains how, in order to keep the discourse about migration in Europe alive, she and her fellow journalists did their best to avoid one-dimensional characterizations of refugees. The decision not to mention the nationality of a suspect might have an integrating effect on society by reducing stereotypes about a group of people. The idea of a conspiracy between political elites and journalists gained momentum and marked a confidence crisis. Spiegel Online is at the moment following the new ethical rules of the German Press Council when it comes to naming the nationality – making decisions on a case-by-case basis depending on how much context the police provides. There is another unconventional bridge solution that might be the best compromise. At the end of December 2017, a minor from Afghanistan stabbed his German ex-girlfriend in the small town of Kandel.