How Social Media Can Play a Role in an Educational Context, in an Informal Refugee Camp in Europe

Abstract

European policy on migration does not safeguard the rights of refugees as they travel into and across European State borders (Rygiel, Ataç, Köster-Eiserfunke, & Schwiertz, 2015). Furthermore, refugees currently in transit through Europe have little or no access to media platforms. Mainstream media frames the current migration flow into Europe with narratives of charity, sympathy, and criminality (Rettberg & Gajjala, 2016). Myths about refugees being smuggled into Europe and committing acts of violence are exaggerated by mainstream media and contribute toward shaping societies’ perceptions. Little research is available in relation to how digital and social media tools can play a role in facilitating educational training for refugees in informal refugee camp settings in Europe.

The premise of this research is to explore how, if given access to a digital and social space, camp residents can develop their own digital community-led radio station. In this way, camp residents can have editorial control to create their own narratives, thus directly challenging mainstream media. Participants faced many barriers when attempting to develop digital and communication skills. The learning itself became a form of activism for participants and facilitators. The French government uses a politics of control to disrupt and prevent social development in the camp and prevent the community from becoming a resource (Rygiel, 2011).

Citation

O’Hare, K. (2019), "How Social Media Can Play a Role in an Educational Context, in an Informal Refugee Camp in Europe", Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) Language, Teaching, and Pedagogy for Refugee Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 15), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 141-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120180000015011