Measuring Gender in News Representations of Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Authors

  • Lindsey E. Blumell City, University of London
  • Glenda Cooper City, University of London

Keywords:

refugees, asylum seekers, gender, news topics, source use, gatekeeping

Abstract

This study examines the influence of gender in asylum news coverage. Through a content analysis of UK print and online news media (N = 2,018), we examine the gender of the reporter and the gender of the refugee or asylum seeker. The individual and routines levels of gatekeeping are used to show how both impact news coverage. All reporters used a similar story format, but women reporters focused significantly more on women, health and social issues, and culture and sports. Women reporters also used more nongovernment sources. Men reporters covered terrorism and violence committed by refugees and asylum seekers significantly more. Reporting by men receives greater prominence as men reporters had twice as many bylines as women reporters. Furthermore, men refugees and asylum seekers were identified eight times more than women—but mostly in connection to crime, terrorism, and violence. Women refugees and asylum seekers were usually connected to health and social issues.

Author Biographies

Lindsey E. Blumell, City, University of London

Lindsey E. Blumell, PhDSenior Lecturer, Department of JournalismNorthampton SquareLondon EC1V 0HB+44 7445 045013lindsey.blumell@city.ac.ukLindsey Blumell holds a Ph.D. in media and communication from Texas Tech University. She specializes in human rights, with a special emphasis on gender. She has largely focused on how sexual violence against women is portrayed in traditional and new media. Her other interests include identifying sexism in newsrooms, and the representations of LGBT+ narratives and refugees and asylum seekers.

Glenda Cooper, City, University of London

Glenda Cooper, PhDSenior Lecturer, Department of JournalismNorthampton SquareLondon EC1V 0HB+020 7040 0210

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Published

2019-09-14

Issue

Vol. 13 (2019)

Section

Articles

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