By Ska Keller, MEP - 6th December 2011
We must protect Europe not against migration, but against rightwing populism and its impact on EU policies and political discourse
Ska Keller, MEP
Mobility is an accepted feature of contemporary society and there is a certain level of understanding, recognition and even appreciation of the fact that migration brings added benefits to the economy.
However, distorted communication about migration can trigger a vicious cycle that leads to misinformation being perpetuated through government policy, the mass media, and the public at large, which can, in turn, skew discourse at all levels.
Policies and political discourse can therefore play a major role in shaping the image of migrants in home and host societies.
Communicating about migration more effectively is the theme of this year's world migration report which is published by the international organisation for migration (IOM) today.
The report addresses the challenges faced in this era of globalisation and unprecedented human mobility by calling for a fundamental shift in the way we communicate about migration.
It stresses that, in order to benefit from the diversity that results from migration and to rise with the challenges generated by such diversity, an informed and transparent political and public debate must take place.
The report will be officially launched in Brussels on Thursday 8 December.
This debate has crucial relevance for the EU. The media often evoke the image of migrants as social welfare abusers and potential criminals. However, the member states and the commission also increasingly contribute to a distorted discourse and policy approach on migration
Instead of considering migrants as normal people – some seeking protection, some looking for a better life and actually benefitting our economies - the member states, but also the commission, increasingly refer to migrants as a "threat" to the EU.
And they increasingly treat them as a threat. In addition to the fight against terrorism, we are about to fight against migration now.
This trend must be stopped. We must protect Europe not against migration, but against rightwing populism and its impact on EU policies and political discourse.
