The terminological confusion that is typical of Italian narrative media plays a major role in shaping the public debate on migration. It is worth reflecting on how the messages conveyed by the press contribute to define people’s perception of migration and related phenomena.
Over the past few years, the migration discourse on Italian media and press was marked by the frequent usage of some words; I have selected a few that are loaded with meanings, and I believe they can exemplify the power of narrative media.
‘Clandestino’ and ‘profugo’: the former has been widely used by Italian press in the past, and its recurrence has gradually decreased until today. It is sometimes inaccurately used to define those who are known as ‘illegal immigrants’, meaning those who enter another country illegally for whatever reason.
The word ‘clandestino’ has been repeatedly criticised for its stigmatising nature, its juridic inconsistency and for its intrinsic power to spread hatred and discrimination. To act ‘clandestinamente’ means to act undercover, in secret, or as an outlaw. This word has often been related to specially chosen crime news stories, which led to the criminalisation of migrants, condemned based on their skin colour and origin. Although this word is no longer widely used, the tendency to attribute a sort of innate criminality to individuals (sometimes entire ethnic groups), is still widespread.
The term ‘Profugo’ derives from the Latin profŭgus, from profugĕre: to seek escape. In modern usage, the word is used to refer to people fleeing war, racial, political or religious persecution. It is worth noting that the term ‘profugo’, although less generic than other definitions, is an exclusively italian term, translated into other European languages with the term ‘rifugiato’ (refugee). The latter has progressively replaced the word ‘profugo’in public debate. Precisely because of its exclusivity, in the Italian context this word has often been exploited and wrongly associated with the word ‘clandestino’, despite different meanings.
‘Migrante’: present participle of the verb ‘migrare’. It is defined by the IOM (International Organisation of Migration) as ‘An umbrella term, not defined under international law, reflecting the common lay understanding of a person who moves away from his or her place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons.’ It is a generic term, unsuitable for capturing all the differences in migrants’