Media Representation of Syrian Refugees in Canadian news outlets: Critical Discourse Analysis

The conflict in Syria between the government of Bashar Al-Asaad and other forces, which began in the spring of 2011, caused immense displacement within the country and across the region. What was meant to be a peaceful protest by schoolboys turned into a catastrophe for the country within a few days, pushing the country into the wave of Arab spring. This captured international attention, and various media organizations have provided continuous coverage on the worst humanitarian crisis in modern history. News media has the power to construct reality and knowledge about people and events. Media frames have a direct impact on attitudes and policies and an increase in adverse media reporting of immigration can result in anti-immigration attitudes. In relation to the representation of Syrian uprising and refugees it is important to clarify the historic representation of ethnic and religious minorities, specifically Muslims, in the Canadian news media.