Surreal illustration of media influence on migrant perception.

Decoding the Migrant Narrative: How Media Images Shape Our Perceptions

Lena Voss in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the visual language of news media and its impact on public opinion about migrants."

In an era dominated by visual media, the images we consume daily profoundly shape our understanding of complex social issues. One such issue, fraught with nuance and often subject to misinterpretation, is migration. How migrants are visually represented in news media significantly impacts public perception, influencing attitudes, and even policy decisions. Understanding this visual language is crucial for fostering informed and empathetic perspectives.

The power of media to construct and reinforce stereotypes has long been recognized. Early studies from Yale University highlighted media's influence on public opinion, setting the stage for further exploration into how specific groups are portrayed. Within the framework of social representation theory, research has evolved to examine media's dual role: both as a shaper of public perception and as a reflection of existing societal beliefs.

While textual analysis has been a common approach, the impact of images—particularly in today's visually saturated environment—demands closer scrutiny. The repetitive exposure to certain images can create a sense of familiarity, leading individuals to accept these visuals as representative of a larger reality. This article delves into this phenomenon, examining how media-driven imagery affects our understanding of migrants and the psychological mechanisms at play.

The Visual Stereotype of the Migrant: Men, Masses, and Marginalization

Surreal illustration of media influence on migrant perception.

A recent study analyzed a corpus of press photographs related to migrants, revealing a dominant visual theme. Migrants are overwhelmingly depicted as men, often in large groups, photographed outdoors during the day. This "horde" motif, as the study terms it, paints a specific picture, associating migration with potentially threatening and uncontrollable masses.

To gauge the impact of this visual representation, researchers asked participants to assess the representativeness of various images. The results were striking: photographs featuring the complete "horde" motif were consistently rated as most representative of migrants. This suggests that the media's dominant visual narrative has effectively shaped public perception.

The "Horde" Motif: Depicting migrants primarily as large groups of men in outdoor settings.
Representativeness: Images aligning with the "horde" motif are perceived as most representative.
Media Influence: Dominant motifs in media contribute significantly to public understanding and perception.

Interestingly, the study also highlighted a subtle difference in how publications with differing ideological stances utilized these images. While the "horde" motif was prevalent across the board, more conservative publications showed a slightly stronger tendency towards this representation. This suggests that pre-existing ideological frameworks may influence the selection and presentation of migrant imagery.

Beyond the Image: Towards Nuance and Empathy

The study's findings underscore the profound influence of media imagery on shaping public perceptions of migration. While the "horde" motif may provide a readily accessible visual shorthand, it risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and overlooking the complex realities of individual migrants. Moving forward, it is crucial for media outlets to adopt more nuanced and empathetic visual narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of the human stories behind the headlines. By challenging the dominant stereotypes and embracing a broader range of perspectives, we can promote more informed and compassionate conversations about migration.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3917/cips.117.0005, Alternate LINK

Title: Stéréotypage Médiatique Et Objectivation De La Représentation Sociale Des Migrants

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Les Cahiers Internationaux de Psychologie Sociale

Publisher: CAIRN

Authors: Pascal Moliner, Julien Vidal, Joëlle Payet

Published: 2018-10-04

Everything You Need To Know

How do media images affect what we think about migrants?

Media images play a significant role in shaping our perceptions of migrants. The repetitive exposure to visuals, particularly the "horde" motif, can create a sense of familiarity, leading individuals to accept these visuals as representative of a larger reality. This affects our understanding and attitudes, sometimes reinforcing stereotypes rather than fostering empathy. The dominance of certain images in the media can contribute to biased perceptions, potentially influencing policy decisions and social interactions.

What is the 'horde' motif in the context of media representations of migrants?

The "horde" motif refers to a dominant visual theme in media representations of migrants, where they are overwhelmingly depicted as large groups of men in outdoor settings. This portrayal often associates migration with potentially threatening and uncontrollable masses. While textual analysis is important, the impact of visual representations like this "horde" motif, demands closer scrutiny because of the power of visual stereotypes. This motif can shape public perception, leading individuals to perceive migrants through a lens of otherness or potential threat.

Does the media's portrayal of migrants vary based on the publication's ideological stance?

Yes, there are subtle differences in how publications with differing ideological stances utilize migrant images. The "horde" motif is prevalent across various publications, but more conservative outlets may exhibit a slightly stronger tendency towards this representation. This suggests that pre-existing ideological frameworks can influence the selection and presentation of migrant imagery, reflecting and reinforcing specific narratives about migration.

How does the concept of 'representativeness' relate to media images of migrants, and why is it important?

In studies examining media images of migrants, 'representativeness' refers to how accurately or typically an image is perceived to portray migrants as a group. Images aligning with the "horde" motif are often rated as most representative, indicating that the dominant media narrative has effectively shaped public perception. This is important because if skewed or stereotypical images are seen as representative, they can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and hinder a more nuanced understanding of the diverse experiences of individual migrants.

What steps can media outlets take to promote a more balanced and empathetic understanding of migrants?

Media outlets can adopt more nuanced and empathetic visual narratives to challenge dominant stereotypes. This includes showcasing the diversity of individual migrant stories, highlighting their unique backgrounds and experiences, and avoiding the repetitive use of the "horde" motif. By embracing a broader range of perspectives and challenging existing stereotypes, media can foster more informed and compassionate conversations about migration, ultimately promoting a deeper understanding of the human realities behind the headlines. Focusing on individual stories helps to humanize the migrant experience, moving beyond the generalized and often negative portrayals.