Representation of Migrant Minorities and the Romani People in Spain Before and After the Pandemic

This issue aims to explore how certain disadvantaged groups are represented in the media both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifically focuses on the Roma community, whose presence in Spain will reach 600 years in 2025, and on various migrant groups that have arrived in the country over the past two decades. The goal is to observe how some of these groups are portrayed in the media with a bias that recurrently associates them with crime and marginalization.

The initial hypothesis posits that the public image of these groups has progressively and systematically worsened, sometimes subtly and at other times overtly. Furthermore, the monograph also seeks to make visible and identify potential support networks that appear in journalistic discourses, considering the transformed social context marked by the pandemic, which served as a turning point in daily interactions.

The confinement brought changes in the use of space, eliminating public spaces from daily life and limiting social interaction. Additionally, the pandemic exacerbated social issues such as intolerance, hate speech, and job insecurity.

This investigation is structured around five thematic axes or lines of research that form the various avenues for this call for papers. These are described as follows:

Lines of Research / Thematic Axes:

 

1. Historical Representation of Migrant Minorities and the Roma People in Spanish Traditio

Studying the historical representation of ethnic minorities, particularly the Roma community, in Spanish media is of significant scientific interest as it allows us to understand how narratives about these communities have been constructed and transformed over the decades. Since the 1970s, when Spain began embracing greater cultural and media diversity after the dictatorship, the portrayal of minorities in media such as film, television, and press has both reflected and influenced public perceptions and social inclusion policies. Analyzing these changes provides insight into how media affects the perception and acceptance of ethnic diversity in Spanish society.

Additionally, examining this historical line helps evaluate the impact of certain narrative frameworks in creating prejudices or combating stereotypes, especially in the case of a community as significant and complex as the Roma. This line of research lays a vital foundation for exploring progress in respect for diversity, as well as potential setbacks during times of social or economic crisis. It also offers a critical perspective on how the media system has responded (or failed to respond) to the increasing multiculturalism in Spain, providing an essential precedent for future research in cultural and communication studies.

 

2. Representation of Ethnic Minorities in Spanish TV Series and Films

Observing how Spanish television series and films represent ethnic minorities, including both migrant and Roma communities, is essential to understanding the archetypes and stereotypes constructed around these groups. Audiovisual fiction plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, making this field a significant area of study to identify patterns of stigmatization, idealization, or marginalization. Examining biases in these contents also allows for a critical analysis of the social and cultural values conveyed to audiences and how these values influence perceptions of these minorities.

This research contributes to understanding how media narratives evolve in response to social changes and demands for fairer and more realistic representation. Analyzing representational dynamics and potential biases questions the role of the media in perpetuating or challenging negative stereotypes while assessing progress toward more inclusive and balanced portrayals in Spanish audiovisual fiction. This also offers useful insights for content creators and producers seeking to represent these communities responsibly and consciously.

 

3. Media Representation on Social Media of Roma and Migrant Groups Before and After the Pandemic

Researching how Roma and migrant groups are represented on social media, before and after the pandemic, is crucial to understanding shifts in public perception and the rise of potential biases or stigmatization. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred an increase in social media usage, making it a key space for information dissemination and public opinion. Examining whether these groups were stigmatized or linked to notions of crime and marginalization allows us to analyze the pandemic's effects on narratives of vulnerability and social exclusion, which in some cases may have intensified.

Moreover, this approach evaluates whether discourses of solidarity and support toward these groups were overshadowed by messages of hate or rejection during the crisis. Comparing the pre- and post-pandemic periods sheds light on the dynamics of perception and acceptance of diversity in the digital realm, a space of massive interaction and influence. This is especially important for proposing measures and strategies that promote inclusive and respectful communication in digital environments while combating the proliferation of stigmatizing and biased content.

 

4. Identification of Support Networks and Solidarity in Journalistic Discourse Toward Ethnic Minority Groups and Their Contrast With Negative Representations

Studying the support networks and solidarity toward ethnic minority groups in journalistic discourse is relevant to identifying which positive narratives can counteract negative representations of the minorities examined in this monograph. Journalism often contributes to spreading stereotypes but can also play a role in humanizing these groups and highlighting their contributions to society. This research seeks to determine whether expressions of support in the media create a significant shift in public perception or, conversely, are overshadowed by representations that emphasize negative aspects.

This analysis is also valuable in assessing the role of media in fostering a climate of social solidarity and promoting values of inclusion and empathy. Identifying these supportive discourses allows for a critical contrast and highlights the potential and limitations of journalism in creating a fairer and more balanced representation of minorities. This approach could also lead to the development of guidelines or best practices for ethical and respectful treatment of these communities’ stories and voices in the media.

 

5. Analysis of Power Dynamics and the Construction of Meanings in the Representation of Vulnerable Groups in the Media.

Researching power dynamics in the media representation of vulnerable groups is essential to understanding how media can either reinforce or challenge cultural and social stereotypes. This approach, grounded in Cultural Studies, is crucial for identifying subtle mechanisms of control and proposing forms of representation that amplify the voices of vulnerable groups. Cultural Studies offer theoretical tools to analyze the processes of meaning-making in the media, revealing how hierarchies of power are established through representation and how these contribute to the exclusion or inclusion of certain groups in dominant narratives.

This line of research identifies narratives that challenge the status quo and offer alternatives to traditional views, promoting a more pluralistic and respectful treatment of diversity. Understanding these dynamics not only helps deconstruct discriminatory discourses but also provides a solid foundation for designing fairer and more equitable media strategies to reduce the reproduction of stereotypes and foster an authentic and inclusive representation of minorities in the media.

Keywords: Romani People and Migrant Groups; COVID-19 Pandemic; Representation in Journalistic Discourse. Social Media and Audiovisual Narratives; Media Bias and Hate Speech

 

Deadline: September, 15. 2025

 

 

Coordinated by:

 

José María Lavín

Director of the Master's Program in Social and Cultural Communication at the International University of Valencia. He holds a degree in Political Science from UNED; a Master's in International Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America from the Instituto Mora (Mexico); an Official Master's in Decision Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Communication Research from Rey Juan Carlos University. Previously, he has served as a faculty member at various Spanish universities, including URJC, UNIR, and Nebrija, among others. He also worked at the Technical University of Ambato (Ecuador). Dr. Lavín has published several journal articles indexed in WOS and SCOPUS, as well as book chapters and conference proceedings. Additionally, he has supervised three doctoral dissertations at Rey Juan Carlos University.

 

Patricia Castellanos Pineda

Ph. D. in Journalism and Communication (UAB), professor, and vice dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Communication at the International University of Valencia (VIU). Her research focuses on the relationship between science museums and society, including their role as mass media, their contribution to social inclusion, and identity construction. She has been a guest lecturer in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

She has worked in the fields of cultural management and scientific communication, as well as exhibition evaluation. She has participated in over 10 R&D&I projects, most of which are related to scientific communication.

For 11 years, she served as Editor of the scientific culture magazine laTalaia, part of the "Barcelona Ciencia" program by the Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB).

 

Arnau Vilaró Moncasí

Arnau Vilaró Moncasí is the Director of the HUMA Studies Center at the International University of Valencia. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Pompeu Fabra University and pursued his research career at the Sorbonne University in Paris and the Institute of Aesthetic Research at UNAM. He is the author of the book The Caress of Cinema and has worked as a cultural programmer and professor at UAB, ESCAC, and UOC. He is also a filmmaker and screenwriter. In collaboration with Carla Simón, he co-wrote the film Alcarràs (Golden Bear at the 2022 Berlinale).