Framing displaced persons

An analysis of Turkish media’s use of migration metaphors on Twitter

Abstract

In recent years, social media has been recognized as instrumental in shaping the discourse around displaced persons, particularly through the power of metaphorical framing. Given that online communication can lead to real-world consequences for individuals, X (formerly known as Twitter) now stands out as a crucial platform for discussing migration issues in Turkey. However, while Twitter holds significant sway over public discourse in Turkey, there remains a research gap concerning its role in migration-related metaphorical framing. This study, employing critical metaphor analysis (CMA), delves into the metaphorical representations associated with the terms göçmen (‘migrant’), sığınmacı (‘asylum-seeker’), and mülteci (‘refugee’) in the tweets of four major Turkish media outlets: Hürriyet, Haber Türk, Sözcü, and Cumhuriyet. The findings reveal a predominant negative framing of all three terms, with göçmen and sığınmacı often equated with crime and mülteci with objectification. Also, the political inclination of the media outlets played a role, with those aligned closer to the Turkish government showcasing fewer negative frames. In conclusion, the study highlights the profound impact of media’s metaphorical framing, revealing its capacity to color public perceptions about displaced populations, a phenomenon accentuated by the specific terms chosen and the media’s political leanings.