EU Migration Policies in Crisis: The Impact of the Media on the European Migration Governance Process in Times of Perceived Crisis (2013-2017)

Migration has been a defining feature of the 21st century amidst the permanent rising trend in the movement of people, which culminated with the so-called “refugee crisis” in 2015. During this time, critical questions emerged relating to the political influence of media framing on migration. This study investigates the impact of the media on European migration policymaking between 2013 and 2017 – a period which was characterized by high media salience and rapid political and institutional responses to migration. Employing a mixed methods research design, the study combines a quantitative content analysis, regression modelling, and a qualitative comparative analysis to examine the framing dynamics across traditional media, social media and within European Parliamentary debates. The analysis identified key turning points in the discussions, including the tragic drowning of Alan Kurdi and the Paris terrorist attacks, which catalyzed a shift towards a frame consonance, with securitization emerging as the hegemonic frame. The regression model revealed that Members of the Parliament were more likely to adopt a frame within the plenary debates, if it appeared within the media in the preceding month, demonstrating the significant role both the traditional and social media can play in shaping political discourse. The qualitative analysis further revealed how pervasive securitized language in the media, subtly directed debates and policy deliverables within the recast processes of the Dublin Regulation, where legislative amendments increasingly emphasized border controls, enhanced enforcement and deterrence, although the final output still retained or heightened certain procedural safeguards. Overall, this research has strived to challenge conventional perspectives on the relationship between the media and political sphere, by providing a comprehensive account of how media frames intersect with and shape the EU policymaking process. This study demonstrates that the media do more than simply report on migration – they actively construct narratives that influence the political landscape, thus providing critical insights into the significance of media framing, particularly during periods of perceived crisis. While acknowledging that media influence operates within a complex interplay of political, social, and economic factors, the results underscore its pivotal role in defining migration debates across the media and political sphere. This emphasizes the necessity of balancing security imperatives with the development of a coherent, rights-based asylum system, based on a balanced and informed migration debate.