TITLE:
Misinformation, Stereotypes and Perceptions of Institutions: The Perspective of Young Italians on Immigration after the “Shootings in Macerata”
AUTHORS:
Giacomo Buoncompagni
KEYWORDS:
Digital Media, Migration, Perception, Journalism, Macerata, Italy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.11 No.2,
March
3,
2021
ABSTRACT: The
errors of journalistic information on the topic of immigration are mainly those
of its public representation enclosing the continuous attempt to define an “old” phenomenon as an unprecedented and
current problem. The consequence of a still “undisciplined” journalism on this
issue is the strengthening of the common sense of xenophobic prejudice
driven by two phenomena that are
increasingly affecting digital platforms: online (mis)information (fake
news and information overload) and hate speech. For the purpose of the
research, among the episodes of online violence that emerged and highlighted in
the literature, it was considered important to dwell on an interesting case of
analysis concerning the perception of the migration phenomenon in relation to
the role of digital media and the narrative modalities used to influence public
opinion through stereotypes and prejudices. In addition, an attempt was made to understand how young
university students judge migration policies and the behaviour of institutions
towards this issue. The study highlighted which social constructions of
immigration have most permeated the target population and influenced their way
of using traditional and digital media, as well as the elaboration of
communication strategies and policies adopted by local, national and European
institutions in the field of immigration.