Distorted reflections of migrants in a broken mirror, surrounded by swirling news headlines.

Unveiling the Migrant Narrative: How Media Stereotypes Shape Our Views

Soraya Malik in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into media representation and its impact on public perception of migrants. Are stereotypes influencing our understanding?"

In today's hyper-connected world, media plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of complex social issues. Migration, often at the forefront of global discussions, is particularly susceptible to media influence. But how accurately do these portrayals reflect reality? Do dominant narratives perpetuate harmful stereotypes, influencing public opinion and policy decisions?

Academic research sheds light on this critical question, revealing the subtle yet powerful ways media constructs and disseminates images of migrants. By understanding these mechanisms, we can become more discerning consumers of news and challenge biased representations that contribute to prejudice and misinformation.

This article delves into a study examining the visual representation of migrants in French media. We'll explore how certain images and narratives become dominant, how these representations impact public perception, and what this means for fostering a more informed and empathetic understanding of migration.

The Power of Visuals: Deconstructing Media Stereotypes of Migrants

Distorted reflections of migrants in a broken mirror, surrounded by swirling news headlines.

A study published in "Les Cahiers Internationaux de Psychologie Sociale" scrutinizes how French media outlets, specifically Marianne and Valeurs Actuelles, visually portray migrants. The research employs a rigorous methodology, analyzing a corpus of photographs to identify recurring patterns and dominant motifs. This unveils the underlying frameworks shaping the narrative around migration.

Researchers categorized the photographs based on several factors, including the gender and number of migrants depicted, the location (France vs. abroad, indoors vs. outdoors), and the camera angle. This meticulous analysis aimed to reveal any consistent biases in how these media outlets visually frame migrants.

The 'Horde' Motif: The study found a dominant motif, particularly in Valeurs Actuelles, depicting migrants as large groups of men in outdoor settings, often during the day. This imagery evokes a sense of being 'out of control' and potentially threatening.
The 'Vulnerable' Motif: Another motif, though less prominent, portrays migrants as women and children, often shown facing the camera and located abroad. This image tends to elicit more humanitarian responses.
Angles Matter: Valeurs Actuelles more frequently showed migrants in profile than Marianne did.

The prevalence of the 'horde' motif raises important questions about the potential for media to objectify and dehumanize migrants. By consistently associating migration with images of large, faceless groups of men, media outlets may inadvertently contribute to a climate of fear and hostility. It is suggested through this trend, the 'Horde' is the main, re-occurring theme that is used across publications.

Beyond the Image: Towards Empathetic Understanding

The research underscores the critical need for media literacy and critical consumption of news. By recognizing the subtle ways in which visual representations can be manipulated to perpetuate stereotypes, we can become more discerning consumers of information and challenge biased narratives. It is critical to find the accurate and un-bias reporting to create opportunity for the un-biased understanding.

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.

Everything You Need To Know

How do media outlets like Marianne and Valeurs Actuelles shape perceptions of migrants through visuals?

Media outlets such as "Marianne" and "Valeurs Actuelles" employ distinct visual strategies to portray migrants. The research analyzed photographs from these French media sources, revealing recurring patterns. "Valeurs Actuelles" frequently used the "Horde" motif, depicting large groups of male migrants in outdoor settings, potentially evoking a sense of threat. Conversely, another motif portrays migrants, particularly women and children, in vulnerable situations, often abroad, eliciting more humanitarian responses. The analysis also highlights the importance of camera angles, with "Valeurs Actuelles" more often using profile shots than "Marianne", which might influence viewers' perceptions.

What is the "Horde" motif, and why is it significant in media representation of migrants?

The "Horde" motif, identified in a study of French media, specifically "Valeurs Actuelles", is a dominant visual representation of migrants. It typically shows large groups of male migrants, often in outdoor settings, potentially creating a sense of being 'out of control' or threatening. The significance of the "Horde" motif lies in its potential to dehumanize migrants by portraying them as faceless groups, thus contributing to fear and hostility. This consistent imagery can influence public opinion and exacerbate negative stereotypes, underscoring the power of visual framing in shaping perceptions.

How does the choice of camera angle influence the portrayal of migrants in media?

Camera angles play a crucial role in shaping the narrative surrounding migrants. The study comparing "Marianne" and "Valeurs Actuelles" found that "Valeurs Actuelles" used profile shots of migrants more frequently. This difference in camera angles is significant because it can impact how viewers perceive migrants. Profile shots might objectify individuals, making them seem less relatable, while different angles can create different levels of engagement and understanding. Therefore, even subtle choices like camera angles can contribute to or detract from empathetic portrayals of migrants.

Why is media literacy important when it comes to understanding migration?

Media literacy is critical for understanding migration because it equips individuals with the skills to critically analyze and evaluate the information they consume. It empowers people to recognize how visual representations and narratives are constructed and potentially manipulated to perpetuate stereotypes. By being media literate, people can identify biases in news sources like "Marianne" and "Valeurs Actuelles" and challenge biased representations. Media literacy allows for a more nuanced and informed understanding of migration, fostering empathy and combating misinformation, ultimately leading to more accurate and unbiased comprehension.

What are the potential psychological effects of biased media representations on society's view of migrants?

Biased media representations, as examined in studies of outlets like "Marianne" and "Valeurs Actuelles", can have profound psychological effects on society's view of migrants. The consistent use of motifs like the "Horde", can lead to fear and dehumanization. These representations shape public opinion and can exacerbate existing prejudices. By repeatedly exposing audiences to negative stereotypes, the media can inadvertently contribute to a climate of hostility and discrimination. Conversely, more empathetic portrayals, such as the "Vulnerable" motif, can elicit humanitarian responses. Therefore, the psychological effects of biased representations are significant, influencing social attitudes, policy decisions, and the overall perception of migrants.