The representation of environmental migrants in the mainstream Spanish press according to their geographical origin (2012–2023)

Abstract

In recent decades, environmental disasters and climate change have increasingly forced individuals and communities to leave their homes, giving rise to environmental migration as a growing concern on social, political, and media agendas. This article examines how environmental migrants are represented in the mainstream Spanish press between 2012 and 2023, focusing particularly on how representations vary depending on the migrants' geographical origin. Drawing on framing theory and employing a quantitative content analysis of 140 news units from four major Spanish newspapers (ABC, El Mundo, El País, and La Vanguardia), the study explores three key dimensions: the main topics addressed, the sources cited, and the frames employed in the media coverage. Findings reveal that while the predominant focus is on climate-related causes of displacement, the portrayal of environmental migrants varies significantly according to origin. Migrants from Africa and Asia are more frequently associated with frames of threat and vulnerability, while those from Europe and Oceania are often depicted through legal or scientific lenses. Civil society emerges as the most frequently cited source, although migrant voices themselves are largely absent. The study highlights a dual framing pattern—humanitarian versus threat—that reflects broader editorial and geopolitical biases. These findings point to the need for more inclusive and balanced media narratives that consider the diversity and complexity of environmental migration. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on climate migration and media representation, and suggests avenues for further study incorporating qualitative approaches and comparative perspectives.