Konstruktionen av "ensamkommande barn" i regional media : en diskursanalys av representationer, i ljuset av "flyktingkrisen" 2015

Sammanfattning: Author: Hanna Wennerhov Title: The construction of “unaccompanied children” in regional media – a discourse analysis of representation, in the light of the “refugee crisis” 2015 [Translated title] Supervisor: Barzoo Eliassi Assessor: Ulf Drugge The purpose of this study was to problematize how unaccompanied children were depicted in news articles in regional media, in the light of the so called “refugee crisis” of 2015. 18 news articles concerning unaccompanied children have been analysed from a social constructive perspective, using discourse theory, the concept of representation and Michel Foucault’s perspective on power. Through this analysis, I have been able to identify two main discourses, where unaccompanied children were represented mostly by individuals in power position. The category was thus represented in two diverse ways, on the one hand as exposed and in need of help and protection, on the other hand as encumbering to the society. They were at the same time depicted as a homogenous group, passive in relation to the surrounding society. I have further been able to illustrate how unaccompanied children were being excluded from the discourses, through their limited participation and opportunity to represent themselves through the articles. When given this opportunity in one of the articles, four young people categorised as “unaccompanied children” represented the category as active, responsible individuals, thus presenting an alternative portrayal of unaccompanied children. With this study, I aimed to gain a deeper understanding of what kind of portrayals of unaccompanied children that may have become a premise from which people think of and treat these young people. I also aimed to raise awareness of how the power of medias portrayal of diverse groups of people can affect the conception of individuals that are categorised into these groups, as well as those individuals’ conception of themselves.   Keywords: Unaccompanied children, construction, representation, media, discourse analysis Nyckelord: Ensamkommande barn, konstruktion, representation, media, diskursanalys