Social care for the migrant population in Spain: needs and strengths of organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic

Abstract

Purpose In the past months, the authors have experienced an exceptional global situation that especially affects the most vulnerable population. This paper aims to analyse the needs, strengths and good practices of the organisations that have continued to study with the migrant population during the health crisis. The main objective was to determine how the health, social and communication crisis has affected the management of the organisation itself, the communications with its direct beneficiaries, the communications with the rest of society, as well as the perception that organisations specialised in migration have about how media has communicated the information of COVID-19 and migrant population. Design/methodology/approach The authors have circulated a questionnaire with open questions that covered the four dimensions previously mentioned. Findings The results show the analysis of the answers of 11 of the most important national and international organisations in the field of migration and refuge that operate in Spain. Originality/value Key issues have emerged related not only to the principal management concerns, internal digital communication, the adaptability of external communication and the major effort required to provide information about migration but also to innovative good practices. That other third sector organisations focussed on migration will be able to apply in the future and in other geographic areas.

Perception of the Media Discourse on Migration in Spain before and During Covid-19: Different Stakeholders’ Views and Good Practices

“…Despite the numerous studies that have analyzed media discourse, research on the opinion of different stakeholders regarding media discourse on migration is much less frequent, as media representatives ( Terminological confusion between refugees and migrants and the dissemination of sensationalist information are the main communication difficulties faced by ngos working with forced migrants (Hänninen et al, 2013). During the lockdowns of 2020, these organizations encountered greater difficulties in reporting the situation of migrants in Spain due to "the infodemic" and the fact that several journalists specializing in migration were instead obliged to cover events directly related to the health crisis (Bueno Doral et al, 2022). Recently, Bittencourt (2021) studied the motivations and difficulties of journalists working in the media who deconstruct negative stereotypes associated with migration.…”

Representación mediática de menores extranjeros no acompañados: una propuesta para el uso de las nuevas narrativas

“…La creciente polarización social, la criminalización de la migración por parte de algunos partidos políticos y las noticias falsas afectan seriamente a la población migrante y a las entidades que trabajan con el colectivo (Bueno Doral et al, 2022;Thomas et al, 2022). Además, estas malas prácticas pueden coadyuvar a su vez a una política migratoria más restrictiva (Eberl et al, 2018), y a una opinión pública con actitudes más negativas (Mendelsohn et al, 2021).…”