Here is an example of the importance of something as simple as the choice of a word that
could impact the lives of millions of people.
As some of you may know, there is a specific legal
definition of the word “refugee.”
Someone who is fleeing a country because of individual persecution (e.g.
because of his or her political activity) or to escape war (e.g. Syria) has a
human right, according to international law, to get asylum in another country.
But someone who is entering a country for economic reasons (e.g. because their
home country is impoverished) does not have the legal claim.
There are many ethical and economic issues here that
complicate what countries should do. There is a lot of evidence that immigrants
increase the economic growth of their adopted country, especially those in the
developed world that have aging populations.
There are also lots of ethical arguments that accepting impoverished
people and giving them a chance at a better life is the right thing to do. But neither of these are legal reasons. So
people in this category are “migrants”, which means anyone who wants to move
from one country to another. But they
are not “refugees”.
As the linked story explains, the media has a lot of power
in how this story will play out.
Regardless of the legal, economic, or ethical requirements and
definitions, public opinion has a huge effect on what governments ultimately
will decide to do. We see this happening in Hungary, Denmark, Macedonia, and
many other countries along the migrants’ travel routes. And in the U.S., particularly among the GOP
primary candidates.
In every shipload, carload, or walking group that enters a
country, there is a mix of economic, political, and war reasons. So what should
the media call them?
- They could use the general term “migrant”, which covers all of them. This could push public opinion against accepting them, because migrants don’t automatically have the right of asylum. But it is accurate.
- They could use the specific term “refugee”, which is correct for some, but not all. This could push public opinion towards accepting them, suggesting (even if untrue) that all or most of the people have a legal claim.
- They could use both terms “refugees and migrants” to indicate that there are both. This could simply confuse the public because many of the media target audience (us) don’t know the legal difference.
