How Prominent Is the Integration Discourse in the Press? Results from a 5-Country Study

Immigration is an oft-polemicized topic within the European media. However, when immigration is referenced in the press, which are the most prominent narratives being promoted? A 5-country comparison of conservative newspaper’s coverage of immigration and the frequency with which these stories deal with cultural integration demonstrates that the critique of immigrant integration is not the most common framing of immigration. Beyond dealing with the relative frequencies of the most common narratives in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and UK, this paper delves into what aspects of integration (i.e., language proficiency, religious practices, etc.) are highlighted most commonly within each of the five countries. The findings suggest that the press’ portrayal of immigrant integration across Europe varies in salience, issue focus, and over time.