Constructing the Crisis. Framing, fear, and the politics of asylum in Ter Apel
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2025-07-15
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This study was conducted to gain insight into how the framing of asylum seekers in Ter Apel contributes to the legitimization of political decisions regarding the Dutch asylum system and the development of the registration centre in Ter Apel. A qualitative research design was employed, including interviews with experts and stakeholders involved with the centre, as well as a critical discourse analysis of media and news sources to uncover dominant narratives of politicians and media professionals. Visual materials, such as photographs, were also examined for their role in reinforcing particular frames.
The research shows that the overwhelming presence of negative framing, often linking asylum seekers to criminality and public nuisance, leads to the perception that the group as a whole can be characterized in this way. This facilitates an 'us versus them' mentality in which restrictive measures against this group become normalized, based not on individual behaviour but on structural and repetitive negative representations.
The findings also indicate that populist actors in Dutch politics exploit this dynamic for their own electorate by amplifying dominant frames and positioning themselves as saviours in the so-called asylum crisis. This framing justifies increased surveillance and securitization of a specific group in Ter Apel, reinforcing public fear and social distancing. As a result, asylum seekers are increasingly perceived not as individuals with potential to contribute to society, but as a threat that must be controlled. This contributes to a polarized society in which empathy, nuance, and recognition of individual agency are replaced by suspicion and exclusion.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen