Where do you come from? Why are you here? Representation of migrants in German television during the migrant crisis of 2015

Abstract: This study examines the representation of migrants on German television during the migrant crisis in autumn 2015. Further it investigates circumstances and actors in the representation of migrants. A case study of two asylum seekers from Syria is presented who were often interviewed for television reports. A qualitative interview about the background of their media representation was conducted and some of the television material was analysed. In addition three journalists from large television stations in Germany were interviewed about their work as correspondent during the migrant crisis. A main finding is that migrants were predominantly represented as well-educated and outspoken. A circumstance for this was language barrier between the journalists and migrants who often needed to talk English, which narrowed the group of potential interviewees. Another finding was that reports and reporters tended to emphasized women and children even though the majority of migrants was male.