Migrants and Misinformation: Key themes in Nigeria, Bangladesh and Malaysia

Original Language
English
ISBN (PDF)
978-92-9268-040-4
Number of Pages
30
Reference Number
PUB2021/022/L
Date of upload

15 Jul 2021

Migrants and Misinformation: Key themes in Nigeria, Bangladesh and Malaysia

Authored by Michael Urquhart from Media Measurement, this paper explores key themes of misinformation related to migrants in under-researched countries: emigration to developed countries in Nigeria and host attitudes to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Malaysia. These themes are analysed through examples from social media conversations in the three countries concerned to understand the prominence of misinformation in the conversation around migration and the role that it plays in accelerating harmful narratives. The paper concludes with reflections on the link between misinformation and the social discourse around migration, together with the need for critical digital behaviour, effective resources to detect and counter misinformation and supporting interventions from social media companies.  

  • List of table and figures
  • Introduction
  • 2. Methodology
    • 2.1. Misinformation, disinformation and malinformation
    • 2.2. Research process
  • 3. Thematic case sudies
    • 3.1. Emigration: Travel to developed countries
      • 3.1.1. Emigration and the Nigerian rumour mill
      • 3.1.2. Misinformation, amplifiers and critical engagement
    • 3.2. Rohingya in Bangladesh and Malaysia
      • 3.2.1. The social media persecution of Rohingya
      • 3.2.2. Common claims: Preferential treatment, legitimacy and attitude
  • 4. Conclusion
  • Appendix A
  • References