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By Camila Melícia Valgas

In recent years, several European countries have experienced increased immigration, highlighting the urgent need for effective policies that assist newcomers in their settlement. Journalism can play an important role in this process, traditionally serving as a bridge that promotes shared understanding of current issues among citizens. For immigrants, engaging with the news can help to understand local issues, learn the national language, participate in societal discussions, and feel a stronger sense of belonging in their new environment. But how do immigrants navigate the current digital landscape of news, where national boundaries are increasingly blurred? 

To explore this question, we examined the news consumption habits of 30 immigrants living in the Netherlands—a nation with a large and expanding immigrant community, making it a relevant case within Europe. Through in-depth interviews, media snapshots, smartphone data sharing, and card sorting, our research uncovered three distinct modes of news engagement, shaped by the geographic origin of the news. Specifically, immigrants were found to interact differently with news from their 1) countries of origin, 2) international sources, and 3) receiving society. Below, we share insights into these three distinct consumption patterns and their implications for media professionals and policymakers. 

News from the country of origin: emotionally-driven and intentional consumption 

Digital media have effectively removed borders to accessing news from participants’ countries of origin, allowing for seamless connectivity no matter where they are. As a result, many participants consume news to evoke nostalgia and to reinforce their cultural identity. Moreover, consuming news in their native language gives them comfort and deepens their connection to the country of origin, as Tamy (32) from Brazil expressed:  

I listen to the news in Portuguese and it makes me feel a little good, you know? I’m listening to my language. Because I know it won’t be something I’ll hear for the rest of the day.   

Consequently, for many participants, the consumption of news from the country of origin is emotionally driven. It is not just about staying informed, but rather about maintaining a connection with their culture and identity.  

Alongside this emotional engagement, participants consciously choose what news to consume—and what to avoid—from their countries of origin, demonstrating a high level of intentionality. For instance, many deliberately reject state-controlled sources, viewing them as unreliable, sensationalised, or censored, particularly with those who perceive their country of origin’s government as authoritarian. Instead, some turn to independent journalists on social media, valuing their autonomy from government or political parties. Even those with a more neutral stance toward their governments tend to select news outlets that align with their political views. These choices reflect participants’ deliberate efforts to seek news they trust, reinforcing the intentional and emotionally driven nature of their engagement.  

International news: vigilant and entertainment-driven consumption 

In addition to news from their countries, participants actively seek information about global events. For this type of news, they gravitate towards international outlets like BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, valued for their extensive coverage. However, participants also note potential biases in these sources. Layla (27) from Egypt articulate this awareness: 

BBC has become a routine for me. I’ve had it for years. And even though I’m not necessarily a big fan of their coverage, they keep me informed about what’s happening in the world … They are a British-owned news outlet, they have their own interests, which is fine. I follow them to know, but I’m not going to take their word for it. 

This critical awareness encourages participants to diversify their news sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of global events, as mentioned by Chia-Jung (32) from Taiwan: 

I think this is the safest way to understand the world. Not just all the news or all the information coming from one source. 

When consuming international news, participants are primarily motivated by vigilance. They focus on major conflicts worldwide, reflecting a desire to stay informed about potential crises or geopolitical changes. News from specific countries can also be significant due to personal, social, and political connections. For instance, U.S. news is monitored due to its global influence, while news from countries where participants have lived or where their families reside also holds particular relevance. Interestingly, some participants also expressed an interest in foreign political news, which they perceive as hectic but emotionally distant: 

I’m really interested in British politics because that feels less frightening and threatening to me, because it’s this very active political thing, but it is not my country. (Emily, 40, from the United States) 

This engagement blurs the line between serious and entertaining news, indicating that political news from other countries can also serve as a form of amusement. For many participants, international news stands out as the only type of news capable of providing a pleasant distraction. They find it easier to engage with distant issues, which often lack the emotional weight carried by local news.  

In summary, participants engage with international news in both vigilant and entertainment-seeking ways, fulfilling two contrasting purposes: keeping informed about global issues and offering a diversion from their daily lives. 

News from the receiving society: instrumental and incidental consumption 

Participants also engage with news from their receiving society, in this study, the Netherlands. They consume a variety of Dutch news sources such as national and local public broadcasters, commercial newspapers, and alternative media created by immigrants. This diverse selection highlights their interest in news from the receiving society and their efforts to fulfil their information needs.  

Participants primarily consume Dutch news for instrumental reasons, aiming to integrate culturally into Dutch society. Many view Dutch news as a tool for understanding local issues and engaging in conversations about Dutch society, underscoring the normative function of news in building social capital. Moreover, language acquisition is another significant instrumental motivation for consuming Dutch news.  

Despite recognising the value of Dutch news for their cultural and social adaptation, participants face three main challenges when consuming such news. First, many immigrants lack knowledge of where to find Dutch media outlets, relying instead on algorithmic recommendations for news exposure (e.g. news aggregators, social media algorithms). This often results in incidental news consumption rather than intentional engagement.  

Second, a language barrier further complicates participants’ consumption of Dutch news. For this reason, they tend to rely heavily on automatic translation tools to read the news (e.g. Google Translator). Additionally, many prefer checking Dutch news on social media due to shorter texts and built-in translation features, which make it easier to read and understand the news. However, due to the language barrier, navigating Dutch news remains challenging and mentally draining, leading to limited consumption when compared to news in other languages.  

Finally, many participants perceive Dutch news as largely irrelevant to their daily lives, except for topics related to migration. They often struggle with a lack of context and feel disconnected from major events, such as political developments or government changes, which seem to have little impact on them. This is especially true for those without voting rights, reinforcing a sense of political disempowerment. Moreover, participants frequently view the Netherlands as a stable and safe country. This perception leads to a prevailing question: if nothing dramatic happens, why follow the news so closely?  

Alternative immigrant media 

While mainstream Dutch news may seem irrelevant or difficult to engage with, alternative immigrant media play a pivotal role in the news consumption of participants. These are social media profiles created by immigrants themselves, who provide news and information about life in the Netherlands. These platforms provide essential information to help participants navigate various aspects of life in the receiving society, such as understanding local customs, bureaucratic procedures, and practical tips for daily living. These platforms are particularly valuable due to their ability to communicate in languages that immigrants are fluent in, effectively bridging the language barrier that often complicates access to information: 

It’s the Brazilian perspective here. Everything is explained using Brazilian words, something Brazilians already understand, to understand something here in the Netherlands … I feel closer to what they are talking about. (João, 34, from Brazil) 

Immigrant groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, moreover, serve as community hubs where participants exchange information, seek advice, and stay updated on developments relevant to their communities:  

If something happens here, it spreads like wildfire. Every Indian will know what is happening … We have too many groups [laughing]. (Veda, 37, from India) 

For newcomers, these platforms remain invaluable sources of support, information, and cultural connection, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment in the receiving society. However, their relevance tends to diminish over time as immigrants become more familiar with Dutch society and language. 

In summary, participants generally trust Dutch news sources, but their engagement is limited by unfamiliarity with outlets, language barriers, and a perceived lack of relevance. To overcome these challenges, they often rely on social media algorithms, translation tools, and alternative immigrant media. Consequently, their news consumption tends to be largely instrumental and incidental. 

Implications for policymakers and media professionals 

Our study reveals that while participants demonstrate adaptability in their news consumption, they face significant challenges when engaging with news from their receiving society. Practical barriers, such as unfamiliarity with news sources and language difficulties, are compounded by psychological factors, particularly a perceived irrelevance of Dutch news. This perception often stems from participants’ struggles to develop a sense of belonging and establish social connections in the Netherlands. This disconnect is difficult to overcome, as developing a new identity that meaningfully engages with the receiving society is a core component of cultural adaptation. This gradual process is shaped by ongoing exposure to the new environment and depends on reciprocal efforts from both immigrants and non-migrants to foster mutual understanding and adaptation.  

Despite these challenges, we find that addressing the first two practical issues can significantly ease immigrants’ initial steps into Dutch society through news. In this context, digital technologies, such as algorithms and translation technologies, emerge as valuable tools for accessing and understanding news. Although language barriers persist, these tools can mitigate their exclusionary effects, facilitating the settlement of immigrants.  

At the same time, the growing dependence on algorithms for consuming news raises significant concerns. While many immigrants appreciate the convenience of algorithmically curated news, research shows that these recommendations often lack diversity and prioritise commercial interests over democratic participation. As a result, the news immigrants encounter—often incidentally—may fail to adequately inform them about critical issues, potentially hindering their ability to engage meaningfully with the receiving society as informed citizens. Given that immigrants are already a marginalised group, it is crucial to further investigate how algorithmic recommendations impact their knowledge of current affairs and societal participation. 

The increasing reliance on algorithms also underscores the deficiencies of the receiving society in supporting immigrants with news and media literacy. Government agencies and organizations provide minimal guidance to this demographic, revealing a gap with important practical implications. Policymakers and media professionals need to make greater efforts to help immigrants navigate the news landscape effectively. Initiatives such as targeted media literacy programs and enhanced access to language support services could play a pivotal role in boosting immigrants’ interest, confidence, and competence in consuming news from the receiving society. 

The findings also show that alternative immigrant media channels play a crucial role in the news consumption of immigrants. These media bridge cultural gaps and provide information in an understandable and familiar manner to immigrant communities. Hence, there is an opportunity for policymakers and media organisations to collaborate with immigrant media to better reach immigrants. By implementing these measures, it is possible to help immigrants to better navigate and participate as informed members of their new society. 

 Disclaimer: This article presents a shortened version of a forthcoming academic paper. All ideas and content are derived from the original work, which is under review for academic publication. 

Pseudonames are used to protect the anonymity of participants and ensure data protection.

This article was originally published on: https://de.ejo-online.eu Read the original article here: https://de.ejo-online.eu/top/nachrichten-als-orientierung-in-der-digitalen-einwanderungsgesellschaft  

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