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Media Coverage of Immigration and the Polarization of Attitudes

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Schneider-Strawczynski

    (University of Exeter Business School - University of Exeter, PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Jérôme Valette

    (CEPII - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales - Centre d'analyse stratégique, IZA - Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit - Institute of Labor Economics, IC Migrations - Institut Convergences Migrations - French Collaborative Institute on Migration [Aubervilliers])

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of media coverage on immigration attitudes. It combines data on immigration coverage in French television with individual panel data from 2013 to 2017 that records respondents' preferred television channel and attitudes toward immigration. The analysis focuses on within-individual variations over time, addressing ideological self-selection into channels. We find that increased coverage of immigration polarizes attitudes, with initially moderate individuals becoming more likely to report extremely positive and negative attitudes. This polarization is mainly driven by an increase in the salience of immigration, which reactivates pre-existing prejudices, rather than persuasion effects from biased news consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Schneider-Strawczynski & Jérôme Valette, 2025. "Media Coverage of Immigration and the Polarization of Attitudes," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-04954719, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:pseptp:halshs-04954719
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20230300
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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Bellodi & Frederic Docquier & Stefano Iandolo & Massimo Morelli & Riccardo Turati, 2024. "Digging Up Trenches: Populism, Selective Mobility, and the Political Polarization of Italian Municipalities," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 24216, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    2. repec:irs:cepswp:2024-01 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Bhatiya, Apurav & Kadam, Shanta, 2025. "Small Boats, Big Impacts: The Ripple Effects of Irregular Migration," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 757, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    4. Manzoni, Elena & Murard, Elie & Quercia, Simone & Tonini, Sara, 2024. "News, Emotions, and Policy Views on Immigration," IZA Discussion Papers 17017, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Sardoschau, Sulin & Gulino, Giorgio & Masera, Federico, 2025. "Identity Under Scrutiny: Media Attention and Rule Compliance," IZA Discussion Papers 17888, IZA Network @ LISER.
    6. Lenka Dražanová & Jérôme Gonnot, 2023. "Public Opinion and Immigration in Europe: Can Regional Migration Flows Predict Public Attitudes to Immigration?," RSCAS Working Papers 2023/18, European University Institute.
    7. Francesco Fasani & Simone Ferro & Alessio Romarri & Elisabetta Pasini, 2025. "A More Conservative Country? Asylum Seekers and Voting in the UK," Working Papers wpdea2520, Department of Applied Economics at Universitat Autonoma of Barcelona.
    8. Zuchowski, David & Maciel, Mateus, 2025. "Between solidarity and concern: Refugee inflow and crime perception," MPRA Paper 127411, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Hessami, Zohal & Schirner, Sebastian, 2024. "Immigration Shocks and Shifting Social Group Boundaries," IZA Discussion Papers 17343, IZA Network @ LISER.
    10. Fazio, Andrea & Giaccherini, Matilde, 2024. "Weight, Stigma, and Attitudes toward Immigrants," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1470, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    11. Yasmine Elkhateeb & Riccardo Turati & Jérôme Valette, 2025. "Immigration, Identity Choices, and Cultural Diversity," Working Papers 2025-18, CEPII research center.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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