"Pointing out the facts is enough to call us traitors"
Several million war refugees from Ukraine within a few months: In 2022, refugee and migration issues frequently made the headlines in Europe. As part of a MEDIENDIENST INTEGRATION conference, 50 participants from Europe met to exchange knowledge.
Refugees from Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion in Ukraine, millions were forced to flee their homes. Where are they going to? Who is fleeing from Ukraine? And how is the refugees' situation in Germany? We present here the most relevant facts and figures.
"Using refugees for strategic purposes has a very long history"
The Belarusian government has allegedly manufactured a migration-crisis at the EU-border. This is just the last in a long list of similar coercive actions by governments worldwide, says political scientist Kelly M. Greenhill.
At least 83 MPs with migration history
11.3 per cent of MPs in the newly elected German Parliament have migration history, as research of MEDIENDIENST INTEGRATION shows. This number has gone up by three percentage points since the last national elections in 2017.
"We need to support migration journalism"
Three years after the launch of the Media and Migration in Europe (#MME) network, 14 like-minded organisations met in Berlin to discuss the key themes they want to tackle together.
„I hope for an independent and peaceful Afghanistan“
What is happening in Kabul? What do Afghans hope for their future? The MEDIENDIENST spoke about this with a representative of the "Afghan Women Journalists Union" (AWJU) in Kabul.
Are minorities more at risk from COVID-19?
Research evidence suggests that immigrants and ethnic minorities in Germany are more at risk to get infected with COVID-19, says Aleksandra Lewicki in her report for the MEDIENDIENST. Their heightened risk, however, cannot be explained with a focus on ethnicity or culture, but is related to socio-ec
European network for knowledge sharing on migration
Media coverage and public debate often tend to set migration in a negative context. Throughout Europe, several organisations promote more nuanced perspectives on migration by evidence-based reporting or advocacy. They share ideas in the network #MediaMigrationEurope.
Frequent anti-Asian attacks in Germany during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more anti-Asian attacks have been reported. Recent research available to MEDIENDIENST INTEGRATION shows the extent of anti-Asian racism in Germany.
German police have become more diverse
For the fourth time the MEDIENDIENST INTEGRATION conducted a research on diversity in the German police forces. Over the past years an increasing number of young people with an immigration background joined the police – partly due to successful recruitment-campaigns.
Timeline of the Hanau terrorist attack
About a year ago a terrorist with a racist motive murdered nine people in Hanau. The authorities speak of an "unprecedented racist terrorist attack". The Mediendienst Integration has summarized in a timeline what happened on that day – and in its aftermath.
How Europe wants to keep out refugees
Fewer asylum-seekers reached Europe via the Mediterranean this year, but not because of the pandemic. The reason lies with questionable methods and potential human rights violations designed to intercept refugees before they even land in Europe.
"The Hotspot approach has failed"
By Valeria Hänsel, translation by Sophia BurtonThe German Federal Government intends to support preliminary examinations of asylum applications at the EU’s external borders. A team of researchers at the University of Göttingen has analyzed this approach using the "Hotspot" system in Greece. Without significant changes, the system is doomed.
Journalists in Germany face hatred and attacks
Several were injured during a recent attack on a camera team in Berlin. A new study by the University of Bielefeld and Mediendienst Integration shows that hatred of journalists in Germany is widespread: 60% of interviewees were affected last year. Many also reported physical attacks.
"A major modernization"
Twenty years ago, Germany changed their citizenship law. The goal: More people should be able to become citizens. What came of the changes to the law? And what are the current discussions in Germany about citizenship? The MEDIENDIENST spoke with legal scholar Thomas Groß.
Reporting on Islam: Mediendienst launches new handbook
Mediendienst Integration (Migration Media Service) has published a new handbook for journalists reporting on Islam and Muslims in Germany. Developed in close collaboration with experts, it contains facts, figures, and background information to support more differentiated coverage.
How to report on right-wing extremism
Christchurch. The murder of German mayor Walter Lübcke. El Paso. Right-wing attacks receive significant attention in the press. But what should journalists be aware of when reporting on right-wing extremism? Mediendienst Integration spoke with four experts from academia and journalism.
How is Germany’s migration policy perceived abroad?
Many see Germany as a key player in migration policy. But what do other European countries have to say about the way Germany handles migration and how do their media report on the topic? A look at the Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
European projects on media and migration forge new ties
How do debates on immigration, refugees and social inclusion take place in different European countries? What kind of challenges do projects promoting an unbiased media-coverage face?
58 MPs have a Migration Background
Research of the MEDIENDIENST found that 58 members of the German Parliament have a so-called migration background. This corresponds to 8 percent of the members of Parliament – a slightly higher ratio than 2013.
„Refugees are left alone on the streets”
After the EU-Turkey deal, human rights organizations have raised serious questions on whether Turkey's asylum policies abide by international agreements. What does the Turkish asylum system look like? And how are refugees treated? Interview with human rights expert Dr. Cavidan Soykan.
Typical anti-immigrant arguments in Germany
In some parts of the German population an anti-immigrant sentiment is taking the upper hand. The MEDIENDIENST INTEGRATION has collected 13 common populist claims and checked them with official facts and numbers.