Routledge Media in Motion: Cultural Complexity and Migration in the Nordic Region (Research in Migration and Ethnic Relations)

Owing to increased migration dating from the 1990s, Nordic countries have gone through substantial cultural and social changes, resulting in increased debate surrounding the politics of multiculturalism. One of the central realms of the discussion around multiculturalism in the Nordic region concerns the media, which is considered to be a vital factor in the construction of society's values, as well as an essential tool in the integration process of migrants, providing as it does a symbolic arena for learning about and becoming part of society. This collection draws together the latest research from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden to look at different aspects of the relationship between media and migration in the Nordic region. Exploring the role played by the media in nation building and the power of the media in the definition of who 'belongs' in society, Media in Motion examines the practices of inclusion and exclusion that characterise mainstream media representations. The book also examines the manner in which recent technological changes suggest the emergence of a transnational and cosmopolitan media landscape; a space which blurs the boundaries of the national and transnational, as well as between the public and the private, with significant implications for the ways migrants may take and become part of society. As such, it will be of interest to those working in the fields of media, race and ethnicity, colonialism and postcolonial studies, and migration. Review 'Often perceived as a homogeneous cluster of states, the Nordic countries are surprisingly different when it comes to questions of immigration and public representations of minority issues. This excellent volume contains detailed case stories from each country, bringing out their uniqueness, but also showing commonalities with the rest of Europe. Essential reading for anyone interested in debates and controversies involving minorities in the new Europe.' Thomas Hylland Eriksen, University of Oslo, Norway 'A comprehensive overview of the politics of multiculturalism with a particular focus on media representations of migration in the Nordic countries. The book includes up-to-date and critical discussions on the politics of representation of difference. This collection has a particular regional significance but also transnational relevance to scholars and students studying migration, ethnicity, and the media.' Myria Georgiou, London School of Economics, UK 'The studies in the volume cover a broad range of media and examples where diversity/distinctions are 'made'. ... Overall, this volume reads as an up-to-date introductory text for anyone with an interest in the role of media as constructing and recycling identity politics, albeit with a regional focus. It usefully acknowledges the importance of the media for public discourse-power without claiming to technically 'measure' its impact.' Migration Letters About the Author Elisabeth Eide is a senior researcher at the CULCOM (Cultural complexity in The New Norway) strategic university programme at the Oslo University College, Norway Kaarina Nikunen is a post-doctoral researcher for the Academy of Finland at the University of Tampere, Finland