Populism, Media and Education

Based on a major research project funded by the European Commission, Populism, Media and Education studies how discriminatory stereotypes are built online with a particular focus on right-wing populism. Globalization and migration have led to a new era of populism and racism in Western countries, rekindling traditional forms of discrimination through innovative means. New media platforms are being seen by populist organizations as a method to promote hate speech and unprecedented forms of proselytism. Race, gender, disability and sexual orientation are all being used to discriminate and young people are the preferred target for populist organizations and movements. This book examines how media education can help to deconstruct such hate speech and promote young people's full participation in media-saturated societies. Drawing on rich examples from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Slovenia, and the UK - countries characterized by different political and cultural contexts - Populism, Media and Education addresses key questions about the meaning of new populism, the nature of e-engagement, and the role of education and citizenship in the digital century. With its international and interdisciplinary approach, this book is essential reading for academics and students in the areas of education, media studies, sociology, cultural studies, political sciences, discrimination and gender studies.

Maria Ranieri is Associate Professor of Educational Technology, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Florence, Italy.

Foreword Renée Hobbs Introduction Maria Ranieri Section I - Theoretical foundations. Right-wing populism, Communicative Strategies and Media Literacy 1. FAR RIGHT: Populist Ideology, 'Othering' and Youth Anna Krasteva, Gabriella Lazaridis 2. Framing differences. Theorizing new populist communicative strategies on the Internet Birgit Sauer, Etienne Pignaud 3. Exploring the potential of Media Literacy Education to question discrimination and promote civic participation Maria Ranieri, Francesco Fabbro, Paul de Theux Section II - Research study online populist communication strategies in European societies 4. Ethno-nationalism and racial capitalism in populist framing of migrants as a threat Mojca Pajnik, Denitza Kamenova, Francesco Fabbro 5. Gendering 'the people'. Heteronormativity and 'ethno-masochism' in populist imaginary Stefanie Mayer, Iztok sori, Birgit Sauer 6. Anti-elitism as populist strategy of defending 'the people'. Evelina Staykova, IldikoOtova, Vanya Ivanova Section III - Research on media analysis and production, online discrimination and engagement 7. Students' perspectives on critical thinking and engagement across media analysis and production Maria Ranieri, Francesco Fabbro, Mojca Frelih 8. Fighting against discrimination speeches with critical Media Education: lessons from the French case Sophie Jehel, Christophe Magis 9. Developing teachers' media literacy to support citizenship education in the 21st Century Anne-Claire Orban de Xivry, Martin Culot 10. Conclusion Maria Ranieri