The role of the media in the reproduction of structural violence towards migration: case study of El Norte and Milenio newspapers 2018-2021

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of the newspapers El Norte and Milenio in the reproduction of structural violence towards the migrant population in Nuevo León during the period from 2018 to 2021. The central problem addressed focuses on the identification of discrimination in the media towards migrants and its effects on Nuevo León society.

The methodology comprised an exhaustive analysis of news related to migrants and migration in both newspapers, focusing on headlines with negative connotations that per- petuate stigmas and stereotypes. In addition, nine interviews were conducted with informants linked to journalism, aca- demics and experts on the subject to identify possible factors that influenced the migration narrative in Nuevo León.

The main objective was to understand the role of these newspapers in the production and reproduction of structural violence against migrants in their online publications. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the publications of El Norte and Milenio during the aforementioned period played a significant role in the generation and reinforcement of structural violence towards migrants. This was due to the production and reproduction of stigmas and stereotypes that fostered discrimination, xenophobia and racism in Neoleon society, violating journalistic codes of ethics and violating

the human rights of migrants. Six crucial factors were identi- fied within the publications that contributed to discrimination against migrants.