Africa/Global: Xenophobia and Racism in Media Reporting on Refugees

Xenophobia and racism are based on the age-old desire of man to find a ready scapegoat and the dislike of anyone who does not readily conform, whether in behaviour, colour or religion. To perpetuate racism and xenophobia through media is not only antisocial and grossly irresponsible, it is well nigh criminal. The attitude of newspapers and broadcasters is a crucial element in race relations and opinion-forming on asylum seekers. This observation is not new and, sadly, neither are racist and xenophobic articles and reports new to newspapers.