Immigration has become a polarizing topic, especially during crises like the 2015 European refugee influx. Research from the University of Exeter examines how media coverage influences public attitudes toward immigration, focusing on French television from 2013 to 2017.
The study shows that increased coverage of immigration pushes people with moderate views toward the extremes—either strongly for or against immigration. This polarization stems from the issue becoming more prominent in viewers’ minds, amplifying their pre-existing beliefs, rather than changing their views outright.
Polarization, Not Persuasion
Key findings include:
- A 1.9% increase in immigration-related news correlates with a 5% rise in extreme attitudes among moderates.
- Those with moderately positive views often shift to strong support, while moderately negative individuals become more opposed.
- Average attitudes remain unchanged because shifts occur in both directions.
The analysis links individuals’ attitudes to their preferred TV channels. It rules out the idea that people simply pick channels that match their views, instead showing that fluctuations in immigration coverage significantly influence how moderate viewers respond.
What Drives the Change?
The polarization isn’t due to persuasion or biased reporting but the increased salience of immigration. Salience refers to how an issue grabs attention and shapes decisions. Viewers focus more on immigration when it dominates the news, reinforcing their initial leanings.
This polarization has political consequences. People with moderate political affiliations tend to gravitate toward parties with more extreme positions on immigration. For example, moderate conservatives may shift to far-right parties, while centrist liberals may align more with the left.
This research highlights how even neutral or balanced media coverage can deepen divides. By focusing on hot-button issues like immigration, the media can unintentionally magnify polarization, making middle-ground positions harder to sustain.
