According to a survey, 69% of Czech citizens consider migration an acute problem
Critically minded experts point out that the opinion of respondents in this case was largely shaped by statements from politicians. As reported by Radio Prague, the study covered a group of economically active citizens aged 18 to 65.
"The issue of housing affordability worries citizens the most, mentioned by 70% of citizens during the survey, but migration was in second place at 69%. Moreover, 48% of respondents particularly emphasize this problem. Next in descending order are climate change, healthcare development, demography, standard of living, and the situation of minorities," comments analyst Roman Maca.
According to the survey results, Czech citizens least favor migrants from Arab states and Africa. However, according to MP Jaroslav Bžoch of the ruling ANO movement, the opinion of Czech citizens in this case was formed against the backdrop of statements by Czech politicians:
"Those responsible for what is reflected in the discussed study are politicians and the media. It all depends on the way the discussion is conducted. We, for example, do not distinguish between economic migrants, refugees, and people fleeing directly from military conflict. In our perception, everything is mixed up. We essentially do not deal with the problem of migration, but only with what and which party has said about migrants. We deal with statements by political entities, their guesses and fiction. When you look at the survey results, especially concerning the age group from 51 to 65, you realize that the opinion of these people is linked precisely to statements by politicians, and they themselves do not understand what they are talking about. They have not encountered migrants. They simply repeat what they have heard somewhere."
And in this, according to MP Jaroslav Bžoch, the media play a major role. As an example, periodically published reports on the number of migrants who have entered Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea are cited. This information has nothing to do with the Czech Republic, the legislator emphasizes, but it influences the opinion of citizens. The effect is amplified by tirelessly circulated messages on social networks.
"Try to look at what is written on Facebook in thematic groups," says MP Jaroslav Bžoch. "The same information circulates there, we see links to the same materials. If you are unable to look at the problem from a different angle, find additional information, then nothing changes. And then we get survey results that look exactly like today's. This primarily concerns older citizens. They are simply frightened by article headlines, and during surveys you can see all this clearly."
Andrea Krchová, director of the Consortium of Non-Governmental Organizations Working with Migrants, emphasizes that the problem of replicating stereotypical characteristics of migrants also concerns major media outlets, not just social networks.
"Let's look at how news about migrants is presented," suggests Andrea Krchová. "If a driver with Czech citizenship hits someone on a pedestrian crossing, no one emphasizes that he is a Czech. If something similar happens with a foreigner, then that person's affiliation with a particular country immediately becomes an important detail of the report. News about a fight between three Ukrainians can be a serious topic for a small town, and it is more interesting to write about. However, no one mentions that this is an ordinary bar fight, of which there are many everywhere. A negative image is more interesting. And what can attract a reader to the fact that someone goes to work normally, shops on the way home, has dinner, and watches a movie before bed?"