Introduction

This chapter introduces migration in the context of Ceuta and Melilla, and some of the geopolitical and historical context that informs the current issues surrounding this polemical topic. This chapter also introduces the empirical study that serves as the focal point of this book, and provides the central research questions regarding media discourse about migration to Ceuta and Melilla, as well as an outline of the procedures for data collection and analysis. This includes a brief overview of critical discourse analysis (CDA) as an analytical tool for studying mass media discourse. Additionally, some key terms that are relevant to the present study are further conceptualized, including ‘migrant’ and ‘refugee.’ Finally, I conclude with a chapter-by-chapter overview of this book.