Media Discourse in Spain

In this chapter, I use critical discourse analysis to examine media discourse from Spain-based news sources to examine how migrant identities are constructed in the context of migration to Ceuta and Melilla. Drawing on data from 100 news articles, the key themes that I focus on include the dehumanizing and criminalizing portrayal of migrants, as how such portrayals construe this population as uncontrollable threats to social cohesion in Spain. Next, I compare depictions of Spanish and Moroccan authorities in terms of how responsibility for border security is assigned. Finally, I highlight some of the news discourse that ties discussions about migration to broader political discussions regarding geopolitical borders as they relate to Morocco and Spain.