A closer look at the media’s role in exploiting Roma communities for political gain
In the wake of the 2016 Brexit referendum, it has become increasingly clear that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union was driven by a variety of factors.Among these, the role of certain media outlets in promoting and capitalizing on anti-immigrant sentiment cannot be understated. A particularly troubling example of this phenomenon is the way British newspapers like The Sun and The Daily Mail used negative portrayals of Roma people to fuel right-wing populist rhetoric during the Brexit campaign.
Media representation
The media’s representation of Roma migrants as threatening, criminal, and deviant contributed to a growing sense of “Romaphobia” in the UK. For instance, these newspapers highlighted accounts of Roma individuals engaging in petty theft, harassment, and other disruptive behaviors, while largely ignoring the systemic challenges faced by this marginalized community, such as access to shelter, food, and safety.
By portraying Roma communities as cultural and socio-economic threats to British society, these newspapers skilfully disguised racism as mere concern for law and order. This subtle approach allowed them to avoid accusations of racism while amplifying the fears and anxieties of ordinary British people. In one example, a news article described a deportation of 63 Romanian beggars as a “massive clean-up operation,” without any reference to potential human rights violations or the experiences of the individuals involved.
Media Campaign
By exploiting the vulnerability of Roma communities, these media outlets turned them into a symbol of unwelcome migration in the UK. This played into the hands of right-wing populist leaders who sought to use anti-immigrant sentiment as a tool for promoting their own political agendas. In the end, the negative portrayal of Roma people helped to reinforce the idea that the UK needed to “take back control” from the EU, ultimately contributing to the Brexit vote.
One of the most insidious aspects of this media campaign was the way it framed the exclusion of Roma people. Through a process of deracialisation, mitigation, and denial of racism, these newspapers made discriminatory actions like deportation appear as natural and even benevolent solutions to the perceived problem of Roma migration. In doing so, they created a false narrative in which Roma communities were portrayed as beneficiaries of British generosity rather than victims of human rights violations.
Visual depictions
For example, visual depictions of Roma migrants in newspapers often showcased unsanitary living conditions and police intervention, perpetuating stereotypes about the Roma community’s lack of hygiene and need for constant policing. Such imagery, combined with the alarmist tone of the articles, further ingrained anti-Roma sentiment into the minds of readers.
The case of Romaphobia in the Brexit campaign serves as a stark reminder of the power of media in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes. As we continue to grapple with the implications of Brexit, it is crucial that we remain vigilant against the tactics used by media outlets to exploit vulnerable communities for their own gain. By exposing and condemning these practices, we can work towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
