Refugee debate and networked framing in the hybrid media environment

Abstract

In this article, we analyse how the debate on the ‘refugee crisis’ has been constructed in Finnish news media and social media by using big data analytics. The study applies big data with the aim of exploring the dynamics between the mainstream news media and social media and the ways in which these dynamics shape and strategically amplify different understandings of the refugee crisis. The research highlights over-emphasis of crime and threat-oriented themes on refugee issues in social media, as well as illuminates the distinct role of social media platforms in shaping debates through user practices of hyperlink sharing and networked framing. Together these findings suggest that the hybrid media environment provides a possible arena for polarization of the refugee debate that could also be used for political ends.