"Strangers" in Europe: the Influence of Politics on the Image of Foreigners and Minorities in French Press

Bc. Christina Zasorina

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Multiculturalism is the most suitable response to the reality of multiethnic society at present. While European countries try to be more tolerant and to follow human rights conception, its successfulness depends on circumstances of historical development of every separate country subjected to ethnic communities. Simultaneously France tries to keep idea of the nation basing on liberty, equality and fraternity and to assimilate the French of foreign origin which are perceived by majority of the population as ‘strangers’. Its result is expressed in the media whose messages are reflection of the reality either. The thesis will analyze the image of ‘visible minorities’ on the basis of the French press articles, examining how it has changed with the lapse of time? How has altered the position of editorials and how much it depended on government from political point of view? And what was the influence on media of international organizations concerning minority rights? Answers for these and other questions will be found in the thesis.

Keywords

minority, media, image, multiculturalism, assimilation, Maghreb, ethnicity, race, racism, France

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 4. 2009

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 26. 5. 2009
• Supervisor: Mgr. Hubert Smekal, Ph.D.
• Reader: PhDr. Pavel Pšeja, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Political Science / European Politics (Eng.)