Abstract
Over the past decade, academic research on immigration discourse in media has largely focused on digital platforms and social networks, reflecting both their ubiquity and their dominance among younger populations. However, this emphasis overlooks older adults affected by the “digital divide.” Indeed, individuals over 70, representing 17% of the Spanish population (in some cases over 25% –INE data from November 2024), rely on traditional media like television, radio, and print newspapers for information. It is common to see retirees reading local newspapers in libraries or cafés, which remain their primary news source. This paper addresses this gap by examining the role of print media in shaping perceptions of immigration among people over 70 in Burgos, where this age group accounts for 21% of the population. The methodology includes, first, a longitudinal analysis of the local newspaper, Diario de Burgos, from 2014 to 2024, focusing on (i) the use of dysphemistic (“invasion”) and euphemistic (“underprivileged group”) language, and (ii) on the types of frames used to address this topic (“unaccompanied minors”). And second, the methodology also incorporates open-ended interviews with older adults who access print media in public spaces to explore their views on immigration and the interplay of media discourse and their personal experiences in shaping opinions. This work addresses a significant gap in current research by focusing on the influence of print media on an age group that is seldom considered in studies about the influence of media discourse.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Vectors of Society and Culture
KEYWORDS
Migration Mass media Opinion Formation Elderly People
