Migration from war-torn countries – an analysis of parliamentarians’ tweets

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the statements published by Polish MPs about the situation of migrants in a social media platform, Twitter. The results of the study show that politicians rarely raise the subject of migration, although a number of important events took place in the international arena regarding the problems of migrants from war-torn areas. Parliamentarians’ tweets are characterized by brevity and generality. They focus on informing about the risks associated with accepting migrants from war-torn areas. A large number of tweets is an appeal for humanitarian aid for migrants. Some posts refer to the chances of development of the Polish economy as a result of economic migration. Parliamentarians’ statements correlate with political, social and psychological factors that are influenced by the complexity of the subject of migration, polarization of public opinion and the existence of stereotypes and prejudice against migrants.

Keywords

• migration
• political communication
• social media
• Twitter
• migration policy
• migration governance