Report launch: Representing Central and Eastern European Migrants in the Media

EU freedom of movement ended with Brexit, yet as of 2021 there were 4 million EU-born residents in the UK. EU citizens living in the UK have continued to feel insecure about their rights, with Brexit impacting negatively on feelings of belonging in the UK. Media coverage can contribute significantly to this, undermining relations with non-migrant populations and leading to racism and discrimination. 

Our report presents findings from our study of UK press coverage of Polish and German migrants and histories. Polish and German migrants are two of the largest groups of EU-born residents in the UK, with their countries typically seen as belonging to two different parts of Europe. This report is based on research conducted at University of Birmingham and Nottingham Trent University as part of the project Post-Socialist Britain? funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It presents recommendations for journalists, editors and media regulators to improve coverage of Europe’s East. 

The recommendations would ensure media coverage is inclusive of different migrant groups and nuanced in references to the history and politics of post-socialism. Such changes would indirectly improve the experiences of migrants’ living in the UK and improve public knowledge of the history and politics of post-socialist countries. 

We would like to invite you to the official launch of this media report, where we will present our findings and recommendations, and offer the chance to ask questions and discuss current practices.