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The Politics of Fear: How Right-Wing Media Leverages Immigration to Sway Votes

These narratives go beyond attracting viewers; they aim to shape public perception and advocate for stricter deportation measures, often underpinned by racial undertones.

Libby Winkler
3 min readDec 31, 2024
Photo by Jarosław Głogowski on Unsplash

The Politics of Fear: How Right-Wing Media Leverages Immigration to Sway Votes

Fear is a powerful tool in politics, capable of swaying public opinion, driving voter turnout, and legitimizing controversial policies. Immigration has long been a focal point for such tactics, with certain right-wing media outlets portraying it as a dire crisis. These narratives go beyond attracting viewers; they aim to shape public perception and advocate for stricter deportation measures, often underpinned by racial undertones.

Creating the Illusion of Crisis

Immigration is a multifaceted issue involving economic, social, and humanitarian considerations. Yet, some right-wing media outlets reduce this complexity to sensational headlines and dramatic soundbites. Phrases like “invasion,” “flood,” and “border chaos” are used to instill fear and urgency. This framing depicts migrants as criminals, freeloaders…

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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