Samenvatting

As one of the most attractive Western European countries for refugees, Germany has experienced a large influx of
migrants since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. It has the highest influx number of migrants in 2014
since 1992. Since Germany is not prepared to deal with this unexpected situation, there are some difficulties and
tensions within society.
Besides that, there is still a presence of right wing extremism in Germany nowadays. In a study of political scientist
Christoph Butterwegge of 2006, research findings have shown that there is right wing extremism in the media
reporting of several German tabloids. In general, it is found that the articles analysed by Butterwegge contain right
wing extremist language, including xenophobic language and anti-migration ideologies. However, it is likely that
the migration background of 2006 differs from that of nowadays. Therefore, it is interesting to find out whether or
not, in the actual tabloid reporting, right wing extremism in relation to migration is still present. To find this out, the
following research question has been formulated: “How do German tabloids use right wing extremist ideology to
report about migrants nowadays compared to ten years ago?”.
The year of 2006 was characterised by having the lowest migration inflow since 1987. Although the migration
situation is quite stable, the calm in Germany society was threatened by the hate against migrants of right wing
extremists. In the study of Butterwegge of 2006, it is found that the media can play a big role in shaping one’s
reality. Because of the xenophobic language of some analysed articles, it may ruin the social climate as ethnic
minorities do not gain respect within society. Especially tabloids dramatise, scandalise and exaggerate their
messages, which are known as manipulations. Additionally, right wing extremist campaigns against “foreigners ”
gain support by the media, although violence against migrants is rarely to be found in articles.
However, ten years later, different results have been found after applying the method of content analysis on two
German tabloids, Bild and Morgenpost. The actual migration background is completely different from that of 2006
as Germany is experiencing the highest influx number in 2014 since 1992. This research suggests that there is no
right wing extremism present in German tabloids of nowadays. They seem cautious in their reporting and even
refute any activity of right wing extremists. The tabloids mostly report about the still ongoing refugee crisis, how
refugees suffer from the situation and the stricter asylum policies. Because of the high numbers of refugees coming
nowadays to Germany, it is likely that the media are more neutral in their reporting since it is a problematic crisis
and the country has to find solutions rather than creating more hate against the increasing influx of refugees.
However, these research findings do not represent the whole German media. Therefore, more research is needed on
this subject.