A representação dos imigrantes e dos refugiados nas notícias televisivas e a respetiva integração destes grupos na sociedade portuguesa

Abstract

With the significant increase of immigration in Portugal, immigrants are beginning to gain more and more prominence in the news. Refugees, who run away from war and political conflicts, are also an unavoidable reality of the portuguese society. The media representation of immigration is complex and multifaceted and has been a subject of study by several authors in the field of communication over the years. This representation can, at times, encourage negative narratives that associate immigration with social problems. The television, which reaches a large audience, plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and perpetuating stereotypes that do not capture the complexity of the experiences of immigrants and refugees. This work thus proposes to study the way in which immigration is represented on portuguese television during prime-time and how these representations impact the integration of immigrants and refugees into the portuguese society. To achieve these goals, we used a mixed-methods research methodology that combined the analysis of news from the portuguese open television channels RTP and SIC, aired in prime-time during march 2023, with eight semi-structured interviews with immigrants and refugees. The study concludes, for example, that there are differences in the way the portuguese media represent these groups, highlighting that immigrants and refugees from european countries are the least affected by issues of discrimination and representation on television. Furthermore, it also emphasizes negative narratives that associate immigration with social problems such as crime and delinquency, fostering barriers to the integration of these groups. This work aims to contribute to the promotion of understanding, inclusion, and respect for diversity in order to build a more inclusive and welcoming society for all.

Date of Award	29 Apr 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Catarina Valdigem (Supervisor)