1. Ioanna Ferra, Dennis Nguyen University of Hull/ University of Leicester Date: 13/11/2014 Material Matters in Times of Crisis Capitalism: Transnational Feminist and Decolonial Approaches

2. 13/06/2016 Structure 1. Introduction 2. Theoretical Framework: Public Sphere/Web Sphere Theory 3. Methodology 4. Migration and Public Communication on the EU Crisis 5. Research Outlook

3.  Public sphere theory (discursive-integrative vs. “mirror” models); arena model of the public sphere (Gerhards & Neidhardt 1990)  Cyber conflict theory (Karatzogianni 2006)  Web sphere theory (Schneider & Foot 2006) 13/06/2016

4. Online media…  extend tools and sites for public political communication  Mould the fabric of contemporary public discourses based on media communication  Enable/stimulate the emergence of transnational spheres of political public communication 13/06/2016

5.  Based on larger research project on EU crisis discourse on the Internet (N1: 13.000; N2: 1300).  Multi-step content analysis for combined frame- and network analyses.  Sample includes news media sites, EU websites, government websites, individual blogs, NGO platforms, and think tank pages (UK, France, Germany, Greece).  Time frame: March 2011 – March 2013 13/06/2016

11. Types of migration/migrant debates within EU crisis web sphere 2011-2013 EU “internal”  East to West migration (e.g. from Romania/Bulgaria to Germany/UK)  South to North (e.g. form Greece/Spain to Germany/UK) External Flows to EU  Northern Africa/Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia etc. 13/06/2016

12.  EU migration issue of a hierarchical ordering of international capitalism.  Reasons of immigration:  Colonially-driven Migration: Educational & labour migration (e.g. countries in post-colonial era)  Migration control measures of Northern Europe (e.g. immigrants ended to Southern EU as alternative to Northern EU)  Easy entry (e.g. Italy, Greece coastlines and islands)  Geographical location – close to North Africa/ Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans  Rapidly developing economic context  Migration deriving from less developed world (King & Konjhodzic 1995) 13/06/2016

13.  Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus  Immigration often as a problem/ security threat or threat to jobs  Migration linked to undocumented immigration – turning all immigrants to ‘illegals’, ‘criminals’ or ‘threats’.  Unlike other countries, Spain links migration to pension system or social needs but still the second problem of the country  Problems related to migrant integration

14.  UK, France, Germany  Migration as low cost labour - WWII  Religion as an issue of public/political debate  ‘Asylum panic’ in cases such as UK, Germany  Migration integration - France riots 2005, but general higher than Southern EU  Negative discourse/ image of migrants - right wing politics, etc.  EU debate 13/06/2016

15. Example I: UK  Migration issue intrinsically linked to EU membership debate  EU and Eurozone crisis are seen as main causes for migration to UK  Strong nationalistic tones in conservative government and UKiP opposition 13/06/2016

16. Examples II: Germany, France, Italy, Denmark  Re-introduction of border controls and review of Schengen as political tool;  Lack of consensus and common approach to challenges posed by migration reveals low level of transnational cooperation/solidarity  Debate over Schengen can be seen as another divisive area in EU politics during political and economic crisis that threatens cohesion in the union 13/06/2016

17. Examples III: Greece, Italy  Entrance countries for many migrants from outside of Europe  Economic and political crisis have tangible effect on handling of migrant problems (lack of funds and efficient administration, e.g. Lampedusa)  Migrant problems as tool in EU politics  Rise of right-wing/racist movements and political groups (e.g. Golden Dawn)  Strongest direct “correlation” with overall economic crisis 13/06/2016

18.  Online migrant political practices/ experiences and social media  Continuous presence without physical contact  The possibility for unpredictable encounters  Rise of new political hubs  Formation of new political alliances and solidarities Siapera and Veikou (2013)  Four inter-related factors:  Supporting strong ties with families, friends, etc.  Mobilizing weak ties (friends of friends supporting migration processes, etc)  Support latent ties (already existed but not yet activated)  Information recourse Dekker and Engbersen (2012) 13/06/2016

19.  Conflict (sociopolitical or ethnoreligious)  Offline and online conflict  Cyberconflict - migration and anti-migration movements / discourse (Karatzogianni 2006)  Online vs Traditional media effect  Example: Case of Greece ▪ Crisis context – socio-political effect ▪ Debate related to migration - Which is the relation to EU? South – North EU concept. Linkage to crisis (unemployment, crime, etc.) ▪ Development of Euro scepticism – Who’s fault? ▪ Development of the far right – Which is the linkage to media? ▪ Far right parties and the relation to media and online media ▪ Media representation of migrants – Traditional vs online media 13/06/2016

20.  What is the affectivity between “dominant” political communicators on migration and protest movement/alternatives publics (on the Internet)?  How do different communicators portray migrants? What are the limits to agency/representations?  How can online media (potentially) help to provide migrants with access to public discourses (provided somebody lets them do this/helps out with training/equipment)? 13/06/2016