Second-generation migrants in Italy: Navigating media representations between formal inclusion and exclusion
(2026) MKVM13 20261Media and Communication Studies
Department of Communication and Media
- Abstract
- The focus of this thesis is to examine how the civic identity of the second-generation
migrants in Italy is constructed through media representations of migration, citizenship, and national belonging. Previous studies focused on migrants’ integration, which was based on their socio-economic situation, mobility, and assimilation process. I argue that these approaches are insufficient to explain how second-generation Italians are included or excluded from Italian society. The development of their identity is a complex process affected by the symbolic construction of their representations in the community. To be able to recognise themselves in the national community not only legally but symbolically, they must develop their civic identity... (More) - The focus of this thesis is to examine how the civic identity of the second-generation
migrants in Italy is constructed through media representations of migration, citizenship, and national belonging. Previous studies focused on migrants’ integration, which was based on their socio-economic situation, mobility, and assimilation process. I argue that these approaches are insufficient to explain how second-generation Italians are included or excluded from Italian society. The development of their identity is a complex process affected by the symbolic construction of their representations in the community. To be able to recognise themselves in the national community not only legally but symbolically, they must develop their civic identity within a society that
accepts and validates their presence. Media discourse plays a crucial role since migration and citizenship are framed through security, control, and institutional frameworks, limiting the understanding of these concepts to a process of duality between inclusion and exclusion in the Italian context.
Through media studies and civic studies, this thesis argues that civic identity must
be understood not only from a legal perspective but also as a discursive and mediated process through representations, public narratives, and media communications strategies. This thesis focuses on analysing Italian talk shows and news coverage to investigate differences in representations across media outlets by adapting a qualitative comparative methodological approach that combines discourse, visual, and format analysis. My empirical material consists of two episodes of TV talk shows, Agorà (Rai 3), Dritto e Rovescio (Rete 4), and two articles from Il Post newspaper during two
politically significant moments in Italy; the security decree in 2024, and the citizenship referendum in 2025 (La Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, available at
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/, last access: 11/05/26).
The findings of the research demonstrate that when it comes to political and social
events, Italian media participate actively in shaping the boundaries of the national
community. The televised formats use emotional engagement during the debates while
framing the concepts through a securitization framework and a political polarization
approach; on the other hand, the newspaper, despite adopting an explanatory technique, is still acting from an institutionalized approach. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9229418
- author
- Hamzaoui, Maroua LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MKVM13 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9229418
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-05 15:47:40
- date last changed
- 2026-06-05 15:47:40
@misc{9229418,
abstract = {{The focus of this thesis is to examine how the civic identity of the second-generation
migrants in Italy is constructed through media representations of migration, citizenship, and national belonging. Previous studies focused on migrants’ integration, which was based on their socio-economic situation, mobility, and assimilation process. I argue that these approaches are insufficient to explain how second-generation Italians are included or excluded from Italian society. The development of their identity is a complex process affected by the symbolic construction of their representations in the community. To be able to recognise themselves in the national community not only legally but symbolically, they must develop their civic identity within a society that
accepts and validates their presence. Media discourse plays a crucial role since migration and citizenship are framed through security, control, and institutional frameworks, limiting the understanding of these concepts to a process of duality between inclusion and exclusion in the Italian context.
Through media studies and civic studies, this thesis argues that civic identity must
be understood not only from a legal perspective but also as a discursive and mediated process through representations, public narratives, and media communications strategies. This thesis focuses on analysing Italian talk shows and news coverage to investigate differences in representations across media outlets by adapting a qualitative comparative methodological approach that combines discourse, visual, and format analysis. My empirical material consists of two episodes of TV talk shows, Agorà (Rai 3), Dritto e Rovescio (Rete 4), and two articles from Il Post newspaper during two
politically significant moments in Italy; the security decree in 2024, and the citizenship referendum in 2025 (La Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, available at
https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/, last access: 11/05/26).
The findings of the research demonstrate that when it comes to political and social
events, Italian media participate actively in shaping the boundaries of the national
community. The televised formats use emotional engagement during the debates while
framing the concepts through a securitization framework and a political polarization
approach; on the other hand, the newspaper, despite adopting an explanatory technique, is still acting from an institutionalized approach.}},
author = {{Hamzaoui, Maroua}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Second-generation migrants in Italy: Navigating media representations between formal inclusion and exclusion}},
year = {{2026}},
}