Media Framing Effects on Policy Preferences towards Free Movement: A Comparative Approach

In a time when freedom of movement is being challenged by an increasing number of European Union member states, and where immigration has been dominating public debate for the past years, this study investigates the effect of media framing (i.e., frame salience and frame sentiment) of migration news on individuals’ attitudes about free movement. Findings indicate that the salience of specific frames (i.e., labor market and security) as well as sentiment, positively influence free movement attitudes of citizens. However, there are country-specific differences. The importance of our findings for our understanding of media effects on policy preferences, as well as for comparative media effects research, are discussed.