Randall, Alex --- "Engaging the media on climate-linked migration" [2017] ELECD 1357; in Mayer, Benoît; Crépeau, François (eds), "Research Handbook on Climate Change, Migration and the Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 331

Book Title: Research Handbook on Climate Change, Migration and the Law

Editor(s): Mayer, Benoît; Crépeau, François

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785366581

Section: Chapter 15

Section Title: Engaging the media on climate-linked migration

Author(s): Randall, Alex

Number of pages: 14

Abstract/Description:

This chapter examines to whom the UK media turn for information when they are writing about climate-linked migration. This is a vital question as most of the general public understand this issue through the media. This chapter analyses hundreds of newspaper stories about climate-linked migration to examine which people and institutions have become key sources for journalists. The results reveal that a relatively small group of people dominate media coverage as sources. Further, this lack of diversity in sources is created by the very narrow focus the UK media takes when covering climate-linked migration. Press coverage over the past decade has focused on a small number of high-profile cases of climate-linked migration. This chapter makes the case that to improve the wider public’s understanding of the issue academics and civil society groups must engage with journalists and writes to encourage a more nuanced understanding of the issue, and a wider array of sources in their writing.