Migrants Representation in Cyprus

By Eleni Kyrillou from RESET

Migrant representation in the media plays a crucial role in public perception, inclusivity, and promoting diversity within a society. Cyprus is a country known for its diverse population and significant migrant presence, making the media’s portrayal of migrants very important.

Cyprus is located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East fact which made the country an attractive destination for migrants seeking economic opportunities, refugees from conflict territories or just people crossing by to reach another European country. Over the past years, in Cyprus, the migrant population has significantly increased.

The representation of migrants in the media has been a topic of concern in many countries around the world, and Cyprus is no exception. Due to the significant number of migrants over the past decades, questions have been brought up about how migrants are portrayed in the media. In fact, one of the primary issues with the media’s portrayal of migrants in Cyprus is the lack of representation. Many migrants living in Cyprus are not given the opportunity to share their stories or perspectives in the media. This lack of representation can lead to a one-sided portrayal of migrants in the media, which one can say is a negative one.

Articles that are related to migrants often referred to “illegal” migrants, the overpopulation of migrants and the fact that Cypriot authorities are incapable to handle the migration flows. However, various Non-profit organizations, community-led projects and independent journalists are implementing initiatives like online platforms, positive articles, workshops, and interviews of migrants to amplify the voices of migrants in Cyprus and help them integrate into society. Of course, there are many challenges like stereotypes, negative biases etc. These are considered positive steps that are taken towards improving migrant representation in Cyprus.