The Securitization of Muslim Refugees: Interpreting US and UK Media Discourse

Abstract

The present study provides an overview of the rhetorical strategies that define the securitization of Muslim refugees in German and French media discourses, as well as dominating narratives through which the refugees were interpreted. Moreover, this study employs the theory of securitization to understand how the refugee, a non-security issue was portrayed as a security danger, justifying the use of exceptional measures against refugees. This study used textual analysis to examine media discourses on Muslim refugees. Textual analysis is often regarded as the most effective approach for evaluating sources within media material due to its critical and in-depth examination of cultural and ideological assumptions. A critical textual study of selected news stories from two newspapers provided a close assessment of the discursive methods utilized by media. According to the study's findings, both the Telegraph and the Guardian have said that Muslim refugees pose a threat to Europe's cultural heritage and values. As a result, the western media promotes the idea that Muslim refugees pose security and cultural dangers to civilization.

Keywords: Muslim Refugees, Textual Analysis, Securitization Theory, Security Threat