Recently, I had the opportunity to be part of a program on Media Literacy Workshop on Media Representation of Migrants and Refugees in Digital Spaces.

This workshop has four aims: to ensure accurate information on refugees, migrants and other vulnerable populations is disseminated through media platforms and relevant information channels; to promote ethical, balanced reporting, stigma-free language that respects and empowers refugees, migrants and vulnerable population and avoids the use of stereotypical, negative expressions that can create or increase stigma, xenophobia and discrimination; encourage the media to amplify the voices of refugees, migrants and vulnerable populations by focusing on stories that humanize their experiences and struggles; to strengthen ‘whole of community’ approach in reducing prejudice and promoting social cohesion of refugees, migrants and vulnerable populations in COVID-19 response and efforts.

Migrants and refugees in Malaysia face critical situation as arrests and xenophobia escalate during the pandemic.

As of now, we have nearly 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

There are at least two million migrant workers mostly from Indonesia and Bangladesh, making up 15% of the total employed persons according to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the 2019 data.

This statistic of migrant workers as reported however is expected to be lower than the reality, as we too have undocumented migrant workers in the country.

The marginalization of migrants and refugees in Malaysia is not new, and the stereotyping of them has long existed in the society.

Very often, Malaysians forget the contributions of migrant workers to the development and economy of Malaysia is undeniably significant since their arrival in the 1980s.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue and has continues to affect the well being of migrants and refugees as they face issues such as forced leave, involuntary repatriation, discrimination and xenophobia.

These issues occur because people are poorly informed about migrants and refugees, and the alarmist narratives by different groups including the media.

Therefore, instead of acknowledging the increasing diversity in our society and recognizing how it could enrich us, many see migrants and refugees as threats to the existing social order, and that they are the ‘culprits’ in our social problems.

In today’s column, I would like to highlight the role of media in this issue, how can media help in shaping public perception towards migrants and refugees

As we know, media plays an important role in shaping public perception. Therefore, it is crucial to look at the practice of our media in portraying the migrants and refugees.

The relationship between migrants and the media is not an easy one. Sensational news is important for media, and in the case of migrants and refugees, sometimes the media tends to choose to speak of sensational news involving migrants and refugees, and neglect the responsibility and media ethics to portray them in a neutral, balanced and accurate way.

The media, as an important influencer of the issue especially in the age of social media, media become a very powerful tool and one of the main determinants of public perception.

Media can play a role in counteracting misunderstanding and fear in our society by changing the narratives, as this can help to ensure that the human rights of migrants and refugees are protected with the effects they could produce in the public conversation.

For instance, the language used in the media when covering stories about migrants and refugees often describe them as ‘the other’ and one of the most common words used in relation to them was ‘illegal’.

These words oversimplified the condition of a migrant or refugees, for instance they dismiss the journey of how a migrant becomes undocumented.

When the media uses the word, ‘illegal’ to describe them, naturally it comes with negative perception and that they are seen as ‘intruders’. The dehumanizing language should be avoided, as such words also triggered questions such as, who are these people and what do they want from us?

Are they bringing their problems to our country? The problem is made worse by those media outlets when they have desire to sensationalize the news.

By saying that, it is important for the media practitioners to be more vigilant with the choice of the words that they pick and the consequences that can come together with it in the process of shaping public perception.

What can be helpful is, the media could consider changing narrative by presenting the situation as an emergency, by communicating what’s happening, who’s affected, and what’s needed the most.

Communication about migrants and refugees could be improved with more diversity as in to report the issues from different perspectives, for instance, by including their voice in reporting.

The common strategies by the media such as simplification, dramatization and sensationalism in the issue of migrants and refugees should be avoided. In related to this, evidence-based reporting is important to ensure the accuracy of information.

In the rise of xenophobic discourses, media practitioners have an ethical responsibility in shaping public perception, as they also play a role in the efforts to protect the human rights of migrants and refugees to ensure that rumors and unfounded stories do not negatively affect their lives. 

(Khoo Ying Hooi is Universiti Malaya Senior Lecturer.)