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Framing Migration in a Shifting Political Climate: Aftonbladet’s Editorial Discourse from 2015 to 2018

Gynnerstedt, Klara LU (2025) UTVK03 20251
Sociology
Abstract (Swedish)
Throughout the 21st century migration has become increasingly politicised in Sweden, a trend that was further intensified by the migration crisis in 2015. This development significantly heightened media attention to migration and positioned it as a central concern among the Swedish public. There has been a significant shift in the political landscape in Europe and Sweden as well, where anti-immigration sentiments have increased, from both ends of the political spectrum. This study examines Aftonbladet, a newspapaer with an editorial profile defined as “independently social democratic” (Aftonbladet, 2016) and their response to this shifting climate and emerging debate. The central aim is to explore how Swedish media coverage, within a... (More)
Throughout the 21st century migration has become increasingly politicised in Sweden, a trend that was further intensified by the migration crisis in 2015. This development significantly heightened media attention to migration and positioned it as a central concern among the Swedish public. There has been a significant shift in the political landscape in Europe and Sweden as well, where anti-immigration sentiments have increased, from both ends of the political spectrum. This study examines Aftonbladet, a newspapaer with an editorial profile defined as “independently social democratic” (Aftonbladet, 2016) and their response to this shifting climate and emerging debate. The central aim is to explore how Swedish media coverage, within a politically affiliated newspaper, evolves in response to
significant shifts in party policy and broader political developments. Using a qualitative approach, this study uses frame analysis and agenda setting theory to analyse 27 editorial articles from Aftonbladet between 2015 and 2018 to detect shifts in the coverage on migration during this time. The findings suggest that Aftonbladet largely upholds its social democratic values in their articles concerning migration. Yet, there were some shifts in the volume and tone of its migration coverage overtime. This study contributes to understanding of how ideologically aligned media navigate changing political landscapes, as well as how media in general responds to a changing political climate and an increase in anti-immigration sentiments. (Less)
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author
Gynnerstedt, Klara LU
supervisor
organization
course
UTVK03 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
language
English
id
9204004
date added to LUP
2025-06-23 21:52:15
date last changed
2025-06-23 21:52:15
@misc{9204004,
  abstract     = {{Throughout the 21st century migration has become increasingly politicised in Sweden, a trend that was further intensified by the migration crisis in 2015. This development significantly heightened media attention to migration and positioned it as a central concern among the Swedish public. There has been a significant shift in the political landscape in Europe and Sweden as well, where anti-immigration sentiments have increased, from both ends of the political spectrum. This study examines Aftonbladet, a newspapaer with an editorial profile defined as “independently social democratic” (Aftonbladet, 2016) and their response to this shifting climate and emerging debate. The central aim is to explore how Swedish media coverage, within a politically affiliated newspaper, evolves in response to 
significant shifts in party policy and broader political developments. Using a qualitative approach, this study uses frame analysis and agenda setting theory to analyse 27 editorial articles from Aftonbladet between 2015 and 2018 to detect shifts in the coverage on migration during this time. The findings suggest that Aftonbladet largely upholds its social democratic values in their articles concerning migration. Yet, there were some shifts in the volume and tone of its migration coverage overtime. This study contributes to understanding of how ideologically aligned media navigate changing political landscapes, as well as how media in general responds to a changing political climate and an increase in anti-immigration sentiments.}},
  author       = {{Gynnerstedt, Klara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Framing Migration in a Shifting Political Climate: Aftonbladet’s Editorial Discourse from 2015 to 2018}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}