International Media Studies (M.

A)

Master Thesis
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts

Syrian Refugees in Germany:

A Content Analysis of Daily National and Regional Newspapers in Germany

First Supervisor:

Dr. Ulrike Butmaloiu

Second Supervisor:

Almuth Schellpeper

Submitted on:

16.07.2015

By:

Ahmad Al Tayep

Student Number:

9020922

Address:

Biberweg 8
63457 Hanau

Abstract
According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 42,500 people were
displaced every day in 2014. The civil war in Syria has been the biggest single driver of
movement worldwide. In the Middle East, 7,6 million Syrians have taken the road within Syria as
refugees, and more than 4 million Syrians have become refugees/asylum seekers in neighboring
Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Thousands of Syrians flee Middle East to the European Union in
general, and Germany in particular. The former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi
Atta Annan tweeted on the 20th of June 2015-World Refugee Day-saying that it is time to accept
the reality that the ebb and flow of human movement cannot be stopped.
German print media is a principle source of information to readers on Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in Germany. Print press sheds lights on German support, motivates Germans to welcome
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and to assist them in finding peace and safety in their new home.
This research provides results from four German newspapers-two national and two regional-for
deploying the prevalent editorial themes on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and reflect how
German newspapers deal with these issues in the daily editorial practice. The analysis focuses on
resettlement issues, official/non-official initiatives, integration, critique and Sympathy for Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany on national and regional levels.
The study is based on qualitative content analysis during an important period in the Syrian
humanitarian tragedy targeting from national newspapers: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and
Sddeutsche Zeitung, and from regional newspapers: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger and Schsische
Zeitung in order to reveal how Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are presented in the German print
media.

Note: This research is referring to both Syrian refugees and asylum seekers as the selected
newspapers reported on these people without mentioning the difference between the above
mentioned status. For further explanation concerning the difference between these two terms,
please look at Terms and Definition on page: (9).
II

Table of Contents

List of abbreviations........................................................................................................... VI
1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Context........................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 State of research......................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Mythology and limitation..........................................................................................

1.4 Category codebook...................................................................................................

1.5 Terms and definitions................................................................................................. 9

1.6 Structure...................................................................................................................... 10
2 Syria................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Syria from sociological and political perspectives..................................................... 12
2.2 Social conflicts in Syria.............................................................................................. 14
2.2.1 Syrian revolution and break of violence.................................................................. 15
2.2.2 Syrian war and atrocious of the conflicts................................................................. 17
2.3 Arrival of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to Germany.............................................. 19
2.3.1 Background information on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany.............. 21
2.3.2 Motivation for Germany........................................................................................... 22
2.3.3 Distribution of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany................................... 24
3 German media landscape................................................................................................ 25
3.1 History, ownership, policy of print Media in Germany............................................. 26
3.2 German national newspapers...................................................................................... 30
3.2.1 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung............................................................................... 31

III

3.2.2 Sddeutsche Zeitung................................................................................................ 33

3.3 German regional newspapers...................................................................................... 35
3.3.1 Klner Stadt-Anzeiger.............................................................................................. 36
3.3.2 Schsische Zeitung................................................................................................... 37
4 Media in theory................................................................................................................. 37
4.1 Gate keeping and agenda setting................................................................................. 39
4.1.1 Priming and framing................................................................................................. 41
4.1.2 Newsworthy and interest group................................................................................ 43
4.1.3 Honesty and independence of media........................................................................ 45
4.2 Media ethical responsibility........................................................................................ 46
4.2.1 Impartiality and fairness in media............................................................................ 48
4.2.2 Respect for human dignity in media........................................................................ 49
4.2.3 Effect of media on the society.................................................................................. 49
4.3 Random sampling and findings................................................................................... 50
5 Study analysis of national newspapers........................................................................... 55
5.1 Content scrutiny.......................................................................................................... 55
5.2 German government and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.......................................... 57
5.3 Reporting disaster and displaying sympathy............................................................... 60
5.4 Critique of German effort............................................................................................ 63
5.5 Further support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers................................................... 65
5.6 Voices of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.................................................................. 68
5.7 Overall language of the articles................................................................................... 70

IV

6 Study analysis of regional newspapers........................................................................... 72

6.1 Content scrutiny.......................................................................................................... 72
6.2 German metropolises and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers........................................ 74
6.3 Integration of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers............................................................ 79
6.4 Dispersal of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.............................................................. 81
6.5 Solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers............................................................ 84
6.6 Germany versus Syria................................................................................................. 87
6.7 Overall language of the articles................................................................................... 89
7 Conclusion......................................................................................................................... 92
Bibliography........................................................................................................................ 96
Appendix.............................................................................................................................. 113

List of abbreviations
BAMF

Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge

DRK

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz

EU

European Union

FAZ

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

FMR

Forced Migration Review

FRG

Federal Republic of Germany

GDR

German Democratic Republic

ISIS

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

KSTA

Klner Stadt-Anzeiger

ME

Middle East

NGOs

Non-Governmental Organizations

NRW

North Rhine-Westphalia

SPD

Social Democratic Party of Germany

SV

Sddeutscher Verlag

SZ1

Sddeutsche Zeitung

SZ2

Schsische Zeitung

UN

United Nations

UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

USA

United States of America

Note: Both newspapers-Sddeutsche Zeitung and Schsische Zeitung-have the same

abbreviations (SZ). Therefore, Sddeutsche Zeitung is referred to in this research as (SZ1),
whereas; Schsische Zeitung is abbreviated with (SZ2).

VI

1 Introduction
Displacement in Syria's modern time dates back to the era of Syria's former president
Hafez al-Assad.1 Assad's regime displaced many Syrians in the 1980s after massacre in
February 19822, after a popular armed uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood in the country
against the ruling regime.3 After suffocating the uprising, Syrian security intelligence
started to intimidate Syrians under the pretext of being members of Muslim brotherhood or
armed opposition militants. The security apparatus has forced thousands of Syrians to flee,
some Syrians have left to neighboring countries peculiarly to Jordan and Iraq. Whereas,
others retreated to Europe in general, and former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)
West Germany in particular. In that time, the fleeing moves were encouraged by the
German asylum law and the strong presence of Arab immigrants in Germany. 4 In
December 2010, the Arab spring started in many countries across the Middle East. On 15 th
of March 2011, civil uprising erupted in Syria calling for political change and more
freedom, and gradually protests intensified, Syrian regime cracked down massively on the
protestors, thus; with each passing day more and more civilians were shot dead.5
The daily skirmishes between the regime and the rebels have turned millions of civilians
into homeless people. Yearly, the Syrian war registers an exponential growth in numbers of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the world. In 2012, 100,000 Syrians were registered as
refugee/asylum seekers in the Middle East (ME). By April 2013, the number of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers reached 800,000. The precedent numbers doubled to 1,6 million
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in less than four months. Currently, there is an estimated
number of more than three million Syrian refugees/asylum seekers scattered in the Middle
East. The Syrian humanitarian crisis is expected to be the largest refugee crisis in the
world.6 This crisis is not only limited to Middle Eastern countries, but also to the European
countires as thousands of Syrians have taken dangerous adventures to reach the European
Union (EU). Since March 2011, 123,600 Syrians asked for asylum in the EU. In 2012,
51,500 applications were submitted by Syrians. These numbers grew bigger as 30,700
1 Hafez al-Assad was a Syrian statesman, politician and general who was President of Syria from 1971 to
2000.
2 The massacre was in the Syrian city of Hama north west of Syria. The massacre is also known as Hama
massacre.
3 See Wiedl, Kathrin Nina (2007): The Hama Massacre-Reasons, Supporters of the Rebellion,
Consequences. Munchen: GRIN Verlag, p. 3.
4 See Ibid., p. 5.
5 See Lesch, David W (2012). Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad. New Haven, Conn.: Yale UP, p. 94.
6 See Mercycorps.org (2015): Quick Facts: What You Need to Know about the Syria
Crisis.https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/turkey-iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria/quick-facts-what-you-needknow-about-syria-crisis, retrieved on: 5. March 2015.

Syrian requested asylum in the EU. In 2014, The number of Syrian asylum seekers in the
EU expanded greatly between January and May 2014 because of the continuous massive
war in the ME. Yet, only four per cent of these asylum applications were accepted in the
EU7 Germany is among the top five Syrian refugees/asylum seekers hosting countriesSweden, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland and the Netherlands-Germany is regarded as a
pioneer country in hosting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers among European Union
countries.8
The question of welcoming Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany brought
arguments for or against it among German politicians and debate along the last four years.
Der Fraktionsvorsitzende der CDU-Bundestagsfraktion Volker Kauder sagte, es
msse an einem Aufnah-meprogramm fr syrische Flchtlinge gearbeitet werden.
Auch Auenminister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) und die Integrationsbeauftragte der
Bundes-regierung Maria Bhmer (CDU) schlossen dies nicht aus. Philipp Mifelder
(CDU) pldierte dafr, vor allem christliche Flchtlinge ins Land zu lassen. 9
New major political development in the world order have taken place: The emergence of
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) along the high level of expected terrorist attacks
have forced German politicians to think twice before taking an official decision regarding
welcoming Syrian refugees in Germany. Upon these concerns, Germans have been
divided. Some German politicians and citizens call on supporting vulnerable Syrians and
offering them the right of asylum in Germany, while others have expressed that the support
of the neighboring countries should be sufficient enough. In August 2012, German
parliament witnessed a harsh debate between these two opposite opinions.10
This research sheds light on the representation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the the
German newspapers. This analysis focuses on the press coverage of four newspapers-two
national newspapers and two regional newspapers-from 15.03.2011 until 31.12.2014.

7 See The UN Refugee Agency (2014): UNHCR Urges Europe to Do More for Syrian Refugees.
http://www.unhcr.org/53bfa7719.html, retrieved on: 3. March 2015.
8 See Ibid.
9 Deutschland/Syrien: Debatte Um Flchtlinge (11. September 2012). Bundeszentrale Fr Politische
Bildung. http://www.bpb.de/gesellschaft/migration/newsletter/144213/debatte-um-fluechtlinge, retrieved
on: 5. July 2015.
10 See Entwicklungen Im Asyl-Und Flchtlingsrecht (2014): 10.Bericht Der Beauftragten Der
Bundesregierung Fur Migration, Fluchtlinge Und Integration Uber Die Lage Der Auslanderinnen Und
Auslander in Deutschland. Berlin: Beauftragte Der Bundesregierung Fur Migration, Fluchtlinge Und
Integration, p. 510.

1.1 Context
Experts reviewed the German media landscape profoundly in 2014, and researchers
pointed to both the power and the importance of the German daily newspapers.German
newspapers are attempting to reach international audiences, and increase their readership
and influence, by publishing in the English language.11 The conducted study on the media
landscape showed that Germany has the biggest press market in Europe and the fifth press
market in the world. On the whole, Germany has 329 daily newspapers. A handful of
sound studies present evidence that German citizens rely on newspapers for actualization.
Germany sells 17,45 million copies per day, reaching 45,5 million citizens over the age of
14 just through traditional version of printed newspapers. Moreover, 27,7 percent of
Germans read electronic newspapers. This means, 56,6 million of Germans are informed
through newspapers. Interpreted, this number means that 80,5 milion of German speaking
people have a daily contact with newspapers.12
Thomas Jefferson, the founding father of United States of America, says that newspapers
have a very good role in educating the public and documenting the history of a nation,
once he said:
I really look with commiseration over the great body of my fellow citizens who,
reading newspapers, live and die in the belief that they have known something of
what has been passing in the world in their time, whereas the accounts they have
read in newspapers are just as true a history of any other period of the world as of the
present, except that the real names of the day are affixed to their fables. General facts
may indeed be collected from them [...] but no details can be relied on.13
Like many other refugee nations in Germany, Syrian refugees/asylum seekers only appear
in German print as adjunct to the German local news except when the scale of the news is
great. The reporting about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers can be tracked back to the
beginning of the Syrian conflict in the early March of 2011, when Syrians went on the
streets to protest against Bashar al-Assad.
11 Nazhmidinova, Rukhshona (18. September 2012): English Language Newspapers in Germany. In:
European Journalism Observatory. http://en.ejo.ch/media-economics/handelsblatt-global-englishlanguage-newspapers-germany, retrieved on: 7. July 2015.
12 See Die Deutschen Zeitungen in Zahlen Und Daten 2014 (2014). Bundesverband Deutscher
Zeitungdverlag. Haus Der Presse, p.5-14.
http://www.bdzv.de/fileadmin/bdzv_hauptseite/markttrends_daten/wirtschaftliche_lage/2014/assets/ZDF_20
14.pdf, retrieved on: 6. March 2015.
13 Jefferson, Thomas (n.d). Letter XL V III To John Norvel. In: Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies
from the Papers of T. Jefferson. Vol. 3-4. Charlottesville: F. Carr, 1829, p. 81.

Im September dieses Jahres waren es bereits 301. Auch insgesamt steigen die
Asylbewerberzahlen. Auf dem Tiefpunkt 2007 stellen gut 19000 Menschen erstmals
einen Asylantrag, vergangenes Jahr 41300 und in den ersten neun Monaten dieses
Jahres gut 32400-ein weiterer steiler Anstieg. Mittlerweile ist Syrien nach
Afghanistan, Irak und Iran das Land, aus dem die meisten Asylbewerber
stammen.14
The Syrian conflict attested the escalation of violence in 2012 as the country descended
into a bloody civil war. Fighting brigades have been formed to battle the governmental
forces Assad's Army. This phase is marked by many cries in Germany for helping Syrian
civilians. Even some German politicians have called on support for Syrians.
Auenminister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) hat die Bereitschaft der Bundesregierung
signalisiert, syrische Flchtlinge aufzunehmen. 'Deutschland ist grundstzlich bereit, auch
syrische Flchtlinge aufzunehmen'.15
In 2013, the German newspapers attempted to prop-up the case of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers by pressuring German decision makers, and calling for more support for the
vulnerable Syrians.
Die Aufnahmequote fr Sachsen liegt bei rund fnf Prozent. Bei mehr als sechs Millionen
Menschen, die etwa vor dem Brgerkrieg aus Syrien fliehen, finde ich die Anzahl von 765
neuen Zuweisungen sowieso beschmend.16 Just 32,828 Syrian citizens have been granted
the right of asylum in Germany.17 Yet, more than 39,707 Syrians have applied for asylum
in Germany by the end of 2014.18
In sharp contrast to the prior years of press coverage regarding Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers, 2014 was marked by focus on problems of these displaced people. This year has a
good share of in-depth stories about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers who look forward to
rebuilding a new life in Germany.
Matroud19 spricht bislang nur wenige Worte Deutsch, und das, sagt er, sei fr ihn
14
15
16
17

Preu, Roland (26. October 2011). Weit Weg Vom Folterknast: In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.
Mehr Syrische Asylbewerber (17. October 2012). In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), p. 4.
Das Ist Beschmend (30. December 2013). In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 20.
Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (9. January 2015). Message to the author. Email. Bro des Prsidenten Presse/ffentlichkeitsarbeit Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nrnberg.
18 Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (27. February 2015). Message to the author. Email. Bro des Prsidenten Presse/ffentlichkeitsarbeit Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nrnberg.
19 Matroud is a celebrated Syrian painter, he has come to Germany in the early beginning of 2014 by the
initiative for Syrian artists by Heinrich Bll House.

das grte Problem: 'Die Abwesenheit einer gemeinsamen Sprache. Ich brauche
diesen 'cultural support', diese kulturelle und gesellschaftliche Teilhabe, um kreativ
zu sein. Ich mchte ein Teil des Landes sein, in dem ich lebe, doch ich verstehe die
Menschen nicht, und sie verstehen mich nicht.' ber Facebook hlt er Kontakt zu
den Freunden und Verwandten in Syrien.20
After underlining the context, this research investigates almost four years of German
newspapers' coverage of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. The conducted
research analyzes German newspapers from the first day of Syrian crisis (15.03.2011) and
until (31.12.2014) within various social and political events that occurred inside and
outside Germany. This study accounts for discursive representation of the target group
through detailed textual analysis of the four selected newspapers; aiming to provide a
rough historical mapping of the different ways German newspapers have represented
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to the reader. The research takes in consideration the
differences and similarities among a variety of newspapers in terms of formats and
ideological associations (National Newspapers in comparison to Regional Newspapers).

1.2 State of research

The deteriorating humanitarian situation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers worldwide
comes along the key motivation of carrying out this research. Before conducting this study,
research on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany has been carried out in the archive
of Universitts und Landesbibliothek in the city of Bonn and the library of Bonn RheinSieg. The research examined furthermore, the publications of Bundesamt fr Migration
und Flchtlinge (BAMF) German Immigration and Refugee Authority on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in addition to other publications on the internet issued by research
centers and organizations concerned with refugees and immigration: Pro-Asyl, Forced
Migration Review (FMR), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
and Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) German Red Cross. The results of this research showed
that the available studies are limited only to: Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle
East and Europe, Syrian war, studies about how media reports on refugees/asylum seekers,
analysis of the impact of immigration on Germany, policies toward Syrians refugees,
German public opinion on immigration and integration, racism, policies of anti20 Pluwatsch, Peter (29. May 2014): Trume Sind Strker Als Tyrannen. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA),
p. 24.

discrimination, and integration. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no single study
or review about how German media in general and print media in particular reports on
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. This research enhances the value of the news
that gatekeepers considered in the selected newspapers during news selection process.
According to perspective of news selection theory, Syrian refugees/asylum seekers' news
and stories are of great importance, as they are listed among important news and events
carrying humanitarian dimensions.21
Such topics are important to the press; as newspapers employee such humanitarian stories
in leading features-news stories-about vast communities facing catastrophe. Here the
reader with such sensitive humanitarian stories is encouraged to use the cinema of the
mind for identifying himself/herself with the plight of the helpless and the hopeless people,
to imagine the suffering and vulnerability of others. 22 This art of reporting puts important
emphasis on human-interest stories that centers on the emotional and sympathetic stories.
The present research gives an answer to the question: How Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
are presented in the German print media?
The initial idea for this research is illuminated by frequent observation of print media in
Germany on national and regional levels. The following issues are also considered in
addition to questions addressed by this research: German print coverage is not balanced
and the stories about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are limited to extraordinary
news/events that catch. In addition to that; the coverage differs depending on the type of
the newspaper. These points expose how German newspapers-National and Regional- deal
with Syrian refugees/Syrian asylum seekers in Germany.

1.3 Methodology and limitation

The reseach articles were gathered from four different newspapers from 15.03.2011 until
31.12.2014 as previously mentioned. Four newspapers were analyzed: two top reading
national newspapers-Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) and Sddeutsche Zeitung
(SZ1)-due to the power of reach and position and the perceived credibility which both
newspapers enjoy among German speaking people.
21 See Ger, Ludwig (2010). Rumor-More or Less at Home: On Theories of News Value in the 20th Century.
Media, Culture, and Mediality: New Insights into the Current State of Research. Bielefeld: Transcript, p.
102.
22 See Machin, David, and Sarah Niblock (2006). Humanitarian Reporting. News Production: Theory and
Practice. London: Routledge, p. 120.

The liberal Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) is one of the largest dailies published in
German. With a circulation of approximately 450.000, the Munich-based SZ reaches
over 1.1 million readers daily. The more conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung (FAZ) is published daily with approximately 400,000 copies in Frankfurt am
Main.23
That makes up this study about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers of sound account in these
two national newspapers. Moreover, the two regional newspapers-Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA) and Schsische Zeitung (SZ2)-were selected for this analysis. Both regional
newspapers are published in two largest urban regions. (KSTA) in North Rhine-Westphalia
(NRW) and (SZ2) in the Free State of Saxony. NRW has the biggest quota of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers24, whereas; the Free state of Saxony has the smallest number of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers25 which makes the analysis between two different regions
in numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers of huge interest for revealing the similarities
and differences in the daily editorial practice.
The (105) articles of this research were retrieved from Deutsche Welle's press archive,
Westdeutscher Rundfunk's archive, Genios' archive, Universitts-und Landesbibliothek's
archive in Bonn city, and Institut fr Zeitungsforschung der Stadt Dortmund in Dortmund
city based on the search terms: Syrien, Flchtling, Asyl, Asylantrag, and Asylant, in
addition to other terms Syrische Krise, and Syrischer Krieg; for collecting good number of
articles from the four selected newspapers. Once the initial search results were pared down
to only the articles that met up with the criteria focusing on Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in Germany, (39) articles from national newspapers were subjected to the research
in addition to additional (66) articles from regional newspapers.
The selected articles were analyzed by using critical discourse analysis based on the
qualitative content analysis methodological approach. Critical discourse analysis is not
only a description and interpretation of text in the social context, but it is an explanation of
how discourse mechanism does function. Many approach may be encompassed under
critical discourse analysis calculating on the nature of the research, the data, and other
mitigating factors, as long as they reveal the structures and language of the text. 26 The
23 The Media in the German Speaking Countries (n.d). In: Online Resources. The University of Chicago|
Department of Germanic Studies. https://german.uchicago.edu/linsk/media, retrieved on: 5. July 2015.
24 See Ibid,. Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (9. January 2015).
25 See Ibid.
26 See Dijk van, Teun (2001). Critical discourse analysis. In: Deborah Tannen, Deborah Schiffrin & Heidi
Hamilton (Eds.), Handbook of discourse analysis. In: Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 352-371.

qualitative content analysis methodology has been applied here in an in-depth analysis of
the collected articles. This approach focused in this direction on texts-articles-including
discussions, interviews, quotations, and observations. Which is of great importance for this
research as the analysis is based on contents of newspapers. Thus, this method shows how
articles are written and given meaning, enabling the analysis to obtain a deep description
of how an event or news related to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany were
experienced by the editorial boards of the selected four newspapers. Qualitative content
analysis is viewed as: Focus on interpretation rather than quantification; an emphasis on
subjectivity rather than objectivity; flexibility in the process of conducting research; an
orientation towards process rather than outcome; a concern with context27, as defined by
Paul Brewerton and Lynne Millward.
As it is the case with this research, readers need to consider the presented results within the
context of limitations, the research had no access to all the articles in full newspaper copies
specifically in the fourth quarter of of 2014. Both regional newspapers Klner StadtAnzeiger and Schsische Zeitung were not available in hard copies neither in Universittsund Landesbibliothek's archive in Bonn city, or in the Institut fr Zeitungsforschung der
Stadt Dortmund in Dortmund city. The editorial board of Schsische Zeitung was not
collaborative in addition to that the head of the archive in Schsische Zeitung is not easy to
approach as the archive excuses itself for not being ready to help by stating that it is not
the job of the archive to help students or researchers in obtaining information. Addressing
and answering the specific questions of this study generated more questions that need to be
explored through further research. Most importantly, and with respect to the current
research, readers need to remember that the research is clearly specific to only Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany, and how they are presented in the German print
media.

1.4 Category codebook

The applied codebook is describing and analyzing the content, structure, and layout of the
collected articles. The codebook28 of this research is made of (27) comprehensive
categories addressing the following points: sourcing, date, headline, page number,
cateogry, visualization, favorability, motivation, quotations, German politicians and
27 Brewerton, Paul, and Lynne Millward (2001). Applying Social Science to the Real World. In:
Organizational Research Methods: A Guide for Students and Researchers. London: SAGE, 2001, p. 12.
28 The codebook is found on page (114)

government, main character in the article, and presentation of the main character of the
article. Each of the above mentioned points coincide with a range of sub-categories
assigned to the articles. The selected articles were interpreted at first by implementing the
codebook on (20) percent of the selected articles. (21) articles for expanding the
understanding of the selected articles and assuring the validity of the codebook. A
reliability test was carried out by appling the codebook again after two weeks on the same
selected articles and comparing the results between the two conducted coding processes.
The results showed that the codebook is reliable. Thus, it was adopted for coding the
whole selected articles of this research. In addition, one extra-coder 29 was assigned for
coding the selected articles, just in case the article is not clear for the researcher, to insure
understanding of the selected patterns by the research. The whole articles wre coded by the
codebook as preparation for this research. This process was continued until the analysis of
the articles was done. A reliability test for the codebook was carried out through and psot
the coding process. Once the codebook is ready, the collected data were interperated at
first and adopted as preliminary results. After this research is achieved, the collected data
were coded further by applying the same mechanism. The results were compared with
each other to assure accuracy. The final results of the coded pieces were adopted for this
research.
1.5 Terms and definitions
Different terms are used to describe Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. This terms have a
specific legal meanings. Understanding the terms corrctly is an important way in order to
treat vulnerable Syrian refugees/asylum seekers with the due respect. The following terms
are associated directly with the research.
Refugee is defined by 1951 Refugee Convention as someone suffering from anxiety of
being persecuted for reasons of religion, race, nationality, membership of a particular
social and ethnic group, or political opinion. He/she is outside his/her country, and owing
to fear. He/she is unwilling to avail himself/herself because of the protection of that
country.30
Asylum seeker is person who claims he/she is a refugee, but whose status has not yet been
definitively evaluated.31 The terms asylum-seeker and refugee are often confused togather.
29 Sophia Hoffman, a German journalist and a researcher.
30 See Refugees. In: The United Nations Human Rights Council.
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html, retrieved on 11. March 2015.
31 See Asylum-Seekers. In: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Resettlement refugee is the transfer of refugee from a State in which he/she has sought
asylum to a third State that has previously agreed to admit him/her as a refugee and grant
him/her a form of legal status, with the possibility of acquiring future citizenship.32
Temporary protection is an exceptional measure to provide a displaced person due to an
armed conflict and unable to return to his/her home, with immediate and temporary
protection. It applies when the standard of asylum procedure is struggling to deal with
demand stemming from a mass influx that risks having an adverse impact on the
processing of claims.33
Stateless person is a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the
operation of its law.34
Dublin Regulation sets the legal basis for establishing the criteria and mechanism for
regulating the member country responsible for studying an asylum application lodged in
one of the member states by a third country national or a stateless person. This mechanism
is known as the Dublin procedure; it applies to 32 countries which include the EU member
states in addition to Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.35

1.6 Structure
The structure of this study is divided into seven chapters, in which selected features will be
planned, explained, and analyzed. On the first chapter, the state of research regarding
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers has been drawn through explaining the importance of
newspapers in Germany in general and the selected papers in particular. Next, chapter two
follows introducing Syrian war and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany into
details. Chapter three explains the mechanism of how news are selected and what criteria
are applied in the process of news selection by the editorial teams. The information on
German print media landscape will be set in chapter four, where information about the
selected newspapers of the study will be mentioned. Additionally, national and regional
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c137.html, retrieved on:11. March 2015.
32 See Resettlement. In: European Council on Refugees and Exiles. http://www.ecre.org/topics/areas-ofwork/resettlement.html, retrieved on:11. March 2015.
33 See Gill, Guy S, and Jane McADAM (2007). Protection under Human Rights and General International
Law. In: The Refugee in International Law. Third ed. Oxfordshire: OXFORD UP, p. 340.
34 See Ibid., p. 68.
35 See Dublin III Regulation (17. December 2014). Citizens Information Board. The Office of the Refugee
ApplicationsCommissioner (ORAC).
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/asylum_seekers_and_refugees/the_asylum_proces
s_in_ireland/dublin_convention.html, retrieved on: 11. March 2015.

10

newspapers will be explained and described with current examples in chapters five and six,
both chapters monitor and analyze national and regional newspapers of the selected
sampling of the research. The final chapter addresses the conclusion and answers the
research question.

2 Syria
Syria is formally known as the Syrian Arab Republic. It is centred in Western Asia,
neighboring Lebanon and the Mediterranean to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the
east, Kigndom of Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. The capital is Damascus.
Syria has a rich ethnic landscape as the country is made up of Sunni Arabs the largest
ethno-religious group makes up approximately 65 percent of the population in addition to
Kurds of Sunni confession; they compose eight percent of the total population. Alawite
and Shia Islam represent only 13 percent of the population. 10 percent Christians, beside
other significant ethnic groups of Druze, Turkoman, and other ethnic groups.36
After the second World War, Syria became a French mandate. France administered Syria
until 1946. Since that time, Syria lacked political stability and experienced a string of
military coups during the first decade of independence. In February 1958, Syria united
with Egypte to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two nations
separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was re-established as an independent country. 37 In
November 1970, Hafez al-Assad, a member of the socialist Baath Party 38 (ruling Syria
until today) and the minority Alawi community, confiscated the power in a military action
and brought political stability to Syria. Following the death of President Hafez al-Assad,
his son Bashar al-Assad was approved as a leader in July 2000. In May 2007, Bashar alAssad's second term as president was approved theoretically by a popular referendum.39 In
June 2014, Assad held presidential elections (the first multi-candidate election under
Assad family) and until today, Bashar al-Assad is recognized as legal president of Syria by
the international community.

36 See The Gangs of Syria. In: Harvard University/ Institute of Politics. Harvard IOP 2015 The President
and Fellows of Harvard College. http://www.iop.harvard.edu/gangs-syria, retrieved on: 3. March 2015.
37 See Leukefeld, Karin (1. May 2011). Syria: A Historical Perspective on the Current Crisis. In: Global
Research/ Center for Research on Globalization. http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-a-historicalperspective-on-the-current-crisis/24568, retrieved on:12. March 2015.
38 Baath Party is also known as: The Arab Socialist Baath Party. It was founded on: 7. April 1947 in Syria.
39 See Central Intelligence Agency (20. June 2014): THE WORLD FACTBOOK/SYRIA.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html, retrieved on: 12. March 2015.

11

2.1 Syria from sociological and political perspectives

Syrian society is found on a mosaic of social groups of various sizes that do not share the
same values and loyalties binding the country into one nation. Distinctions of languages,
religions, and ethnics produce a large number of separate communities, each marked by
strong internal loyalty and solidarity. Two thirds of Syrians are Arabic speaking Sunni
Muslims. Nevertheless, they do not constitute a unitary social unit due to the the strongly
felt differences among the beduins, villagers, and urban people, that does not help in
building a national consensus in the country.40
Syria gained its independence in 1946, this year marked the birth of the first national
government. In this era, the political life was dominated by the old ruling class. However,
the elite had never been a monolithic community, and the new parliament was divided by
generational differences, and factionalism. These detachment provoked a military coup in
1949 that ushered in a new life in Syrian society.41
In the 1960s, a syndicate of several hundred extended families living in Damascus and
Aleppo42 had monopolized society in Syria. Some of these families were of the nobility.
Thus, they had accumulated feudal power as landlords possessing agricultural and realestate holdings and great wealth. The middle class people found in the armed forces and
the Baath Party good mechanisms for their rise as a new uprising power. A military job
was often the only avenue of upward mobility open to rural people and minority groups.
The rural and minority came to dominate the Syrian security apparatus and the armed
forces. Disenfranchised Syrians joined the Baath Party in a need of power. These people
culminated in the 1963 Baath Socialist Revolution.43
In 1963, Syria nationlized large financial, commercial, agricultural, and industrial
establishments, virtually eliminating the economic and political power of the nobility. This
procedures have served the new elite to cultivate positons in the government with support
of peasants and the proletariat.44

40 See Collelo, Thomas (ed) (1. January 1987): Syria.. In: Country Studies .The Federal Research Division
of the Library of Congress. http://countrystudies.us/syria/20.htm, retrieved on:15. March 2015.
41 See Rum, Emma (2014). Political Developments in Post-independence Syria.. In: Beyond Syria's
Borders: A History of Territorial Disputes in the Middle East. New York: I.B. Tauris & Co, pp. 28-29.
42 Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and serves as the commercial capital of Syria.
43 See Bamber, Gascoigne. HISTORY OF SYRIA.In: History World. Political. From 2001, ongoing.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=nns01, retrieved on:16. March
2015.
44 See Moubayed, Sami (2006). Al-Azm, Khalid (1903-1965). Steel & Silk: Men and Women Who Shaped
Syria 1900-2000. Vol. Politicians. Seattle, WA: Cune, p. 190.

12

In 1970, Baath's members succeeded in takeovering the power; in this year President
Hafez al Assad, came into the power. He relaxed the blatant socialist economic measures
which practiced in 1963. Hafez al-Assad's measures have led to the emergence of a
relatively small, but highly conspicuous new class of businessmen. This class 45 has
monopolized lucrative government business. To some extent, the new and old ruling
classes have merged through business contracts and marriages that fuse the money and
prestige of the former nobility members and the influence and prestige of the new coming
elite members. As result, favoritism and patronage have remained important factors in the
Syrian society and Syrian economy.46
In the 1980s, Syrian society was in a state of alteration. The developments of the preceding
two decades made profound socio-economic flux, but the probable results of these changes
were not entirely visible due to the division of Syrian society. Minority groups segregated
themselves in their own neighborhoods and villages. Therefore, Syrians have been divided
between city inhabitants Sunni nobility and peasants ethnic minorities. The social distance
between the ethnic and religious majorties and minorities have made significant blocs
between Syrians that led to deep hatred between both communities. 47 This had led all
groups to develop loyalty to one's fellow members, rather than to a nation as a paramount
social value.
In the 1990s, Syria witnessed economic hardships, Hafez al-Assad's policy was a resilient
dictatorship that favored Alawites and people from other minorities. He imposed serious
socioeconomic restrictions on the people. That influenced negatively the development of
the country.
It was the regime's goal to save itself by avoiding any change at home. More than
that, Syria's rulers viewed internal reforms as the greatest danger to their power []
Hafez made no real political, social, or economic reforms at home. All the country's
problems continued to smolder but not to burn.48
In this phase, Hafez al-Assad was the main source of initiative inside the government, he
45 This class is known among Syrians as the velvet class because its people live in luxury.
46 See Borshchevskaya, Anna (17. May 2010). Sponsored Corruption and Neglected Reform in Syria.
Middle East Forum. In: The National, pp. 42-46. http://www.meforum.org/meq/pdfs/2760.pdf, retrieved
on: 17. March 2015.
47 See White, Benjamin Thomas (2011). Divide and Rule: But on What Grounds? In: The Emergence of
Minorities in the Middle East the Politics of Community in French Mandate Syria. Vol. Part 1.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, p. 46.
48 Rubin, Barry M (2007). Surviving the 1990s. In: The Truth about Syria. New York, N.Y.: Palgrave
Macmillan, p. 102.

13

began looking for a successor. His first choice as successor was his own son, Bassel alAssad.49 In 1994 Bassel al-Assad died in a car accident. Hafez al-Assad's second choice
was Bashar al-Assad, who had by that time no political experience. Hafez al-Assad started
to groom Bashar al-Assad in different military positions bringing him gradually to power.
This choice was met with open criticism inside the Syrian ruling class, but Hafez al-Assad
razed who opposed his succession plan.50

2.2 Social conflicts in Syria

Throughout Bashar al-Assad's first governmental period, Syria witnessed huge social
conflicts that have alerted the country and the region. In March 2004, a football game in
Qamishli51 between two local teams sparked violent clashes between people of Kurds and
Arab citizens. The crisis spilled out across the streets. The conflict escalated between two
different groups. Tensions expanded, the Arabs in neighborhoods where Kurdish people
live, attacked the Kurds. Local governmental buildings were burnt down by the
demonstrators, security forces reacted violently. More than 15 people were killed and more
than 100 people were injured.52 This case describes the silenced nature of social conflict
between Syrians du to the governmental policy, which excludes people due to their ethnic
or religious belongings from the social and political life by dennying them their basic
social and cultural rights.53 Another phase of social conflict in Syria during Bashar alAssad's time dates back to 2006 when drought gripped Syria until 2010. The draught was
a trigger of frequent conflicts between urban people and rural inhabitants who left home
due to devastating consequences. The four years of deficiency caused at worst 800,000
Syrian farmers to lose their entire livelihood and around 200,000 simply left their farms.54
Hundreds of thousands of Syrias farmers moved to the cities and towns in search of nonexistent jobs and new life. Observers including United Nations estimated that between 2
49 Bassel al-Assad was the eldest son of Hafez al-Assad and the older brother of President Bashar al-Assad.
He was expected to succeed his father.
50 See Orbach, Benjamin, and David Schenker (5. March 1999). The Rise of Bashar Al-Asad. In: POLICY
ANALYSIS. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policyanalysis/view/the-rise-of-bashar-al-asad, retrieved on: 5. March 2015.
51 Qamishli is a city in north eastern Syria on the border with Turkey.
52 See Repression of Kurdish Political and Cultural Rights in Syria. In: Group Denial (2009): 14. Human
Rights Watch. http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1109webwcover_0.pdf, retrieved on: 17.
March 2015.
53 See Ziadeh, Radwan (n.d).The Kurds in Syria. Special Report. New York: United States Institute of
Peace, p. 2. http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/kurdsinsyria.pdf, retrieved on: 17. March 2015.
54 See Femia, Francesco, and Caitlin Werrell (n.d). Syria: Climate Change, Drought and Social Unrest. In:
The Center for Climate and Security. http://climateandsecurity.org/2012/02/29/syria-climate-changedrought-and-social-unrest/, retrieved on: 17. March 2015.

14

and 3 million of Syrias 10 million rural inhabitants were reduced to extreme poverty due
to the wave of draught.55 Farmers flooded Syria's cities, and started to combate urban
dwellers in the job market, who were already struggling to sustain a good job with regular
income. The government did not respond to the needs of the citizens. New social crisis
between Syrians started to come up on the surfice as the gape between the rich and the
poor started to become bigger. Some outside observers believe that the failure of Syrian
government to respond to the daily needs of Syrians parallel to the draught were the main
cause of the uprising against Syrian regim.56

2.2.1 Syrian revolution and break of violence

Waves of demonstrations and protests hit the Arab world in December 2010. The protests
have been welcomed by the Arab streets hoping that they will bloom new spiring. Despite
the political, social, and economic circumstances in Syria, Syrian presidency welcomed the
protest of the Arab world as it signled a new era in the history of the Middle East.
Nevertheless, Bashar al-Assad confidentlty talked about the new changes in the Arab
World believing that Syria is stable, stating that the country is on the right truck, and that
Syrians are satisfied with his presidency.
If you want to talk about Tunisia and Egypt, we are outside of this; at the end we are
not Tunisians and we are not Egyptians [] We have more difficult circumstances
than most of the Arab countries but in spite of that Syria is stable.57
The protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya succeeded in forcing dictators to step down.
Syrians had been inspired and encouraged to catch up with the Arab Spiring58 that bloomed
in some Arab countries and called for democracy, equality, and freedom. The Syrian
regime of that time intensified its military presence in main streets in order to block any
sudden popular movement in the country. The sparkle of the Syrian protest was beyond
Bashar al-Assad's imagination as the revolution in Syria started by children in Arbin
55 See POLK, WILLIAM R (10. December 2013). Understanding Syria: From Pre-Civil War to PostAssad. In: The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/12/understanding-syriafrom-pre-civil-war-to-post-assad/281989/, retrieved on: 17. March 2015.
56 See Freedman, Andrew (3. March 2015). Drought: Trigger For Syrias Civil War?. In: Water Politics.
(ed.) Amanda Wills. http://www.waterpolitics.com/2015/03/03/drought-trigger-for-syrias-civil-war/,
retrieved on: 17. March 2015.
57 Interview With Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (31. January 2011). In: The Wall Street Journal. The
Wall Street Journal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703833204576114712441122894,
retrieved on:18. March 2015.
58 The Arab Spring is a term referes to the wave of demonstrations and protests which began on18.
December 2010, and spread throughout the Arab World.

15

elementary school in the city of Deraa59 during the first week of March 2011.
Reportedly ten children aged between nine and fifteen decided to do what children
at this age do the world over: be mischievous. Inspired by a slogan from the
Egyptian uprising, they decided to write ' Down with the Regime' on the wall of their
school.60
The Syrian security forces arrested the (25) pupils of that school and tortured them.61The
parents urged the Chief of Intelligence in Deraa Atef Najeeb62 to set the children free but
all effort were in vain. The official response to the parents was the following; Told the
parents to forget about their children among other verbal abuses. 63 Here started what is
known to be the Syrian revolution. On 15 March, a few hundred protesters, mainly family
members and relatives of the imprisoned children, gathered downtown of Deraa, and
called for the release of the children, and the reform of the corrupted repressive
government. Syrian security forces repsonded with fire. Many people were shot dead. The
number of demonstrations sped up; protests flooded Syrian cities calling for change and an
end for Assad's regime.64 Bashar al-Assad attempted to calm down angry protests with unit
of quick reforms on one hand, and massive crackdown on the other hand. He called
implicitly on the entire cabinet to resign as response for the streets' wish.65 Nonetheless,
the trick did not work. By the end of April, demonstrations in Syria have become regular,
and the government deployed only military and security forces to suffocate Syrian
voices.66
Demonstrations become a part of the life of Syrians. Each friday, people gathered in the
mosques after the prayer to protest, despite heavy presence of the security forces. Syrian
regime intended to keep the demonstrations mainly in the mosques for giving the protests
islamic orientation in front of the West. Violence began to escalate, the Syrian state
59 Deraa is a Syrian city near the border with Jordan, in south west of Syria.
60 Ibid., Lesch (2012), p. 55.
61 See Human Rights Watch (1. June 2011). MIDDLE EAST/N. AFRICA . Weve Never Seen Such Horror.
Human Rights Watch, p. 1.http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria0611webwcover.pdf,
retrieved on:18 March. 2015.
62 Atef Najeeb is a cousin of Bashar al-Assad, and the chief of Syrian Secret Service in Deraa city.
63 Sands, Phil, Justin Vela, and Suha Maayeh (17. March 2014). The Man Who Ignited the Syrian
Revolution. In: The National. http://www.thenational.ae/world/syria/the-man-who-ignited-the-syrianrevolution, retrieved on:18. March 2015.
64 See Ziadeh, Radwan ( 1. August 2011). The Syrian Revolution. In: The Role of Emerging Leaders.
Middle East Institute. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, http://www.mei.edu/content/syrianrevolution-role-emerging-leaders, retrieved on:18. March 2015.
65 See Presidency: 2000-Present (2012). Syria Country Study Guide Strategic Information and
Developments. Vol. 1. Intl Business Pubns USA, p. 48.
66 See Gagne, Tammy (2015). The Situation in Syria. In: Preserving Human Rights around the World.
Hockessin, DE 19707: Mitchell Lane, pp. 41-43.

16

claimed the existence of extremists. Syria's deputy foreign minister says the grassroots
violence engulfing his country was ignited and fueled by 'extremist' groups with religious
affiliations.67
In July 2011, Syrian revoluation turned officially into an armed movement as a troop of
defected military officers announce the establishment of Free Syrian Army (FSA).68 This is
the beginning of the militarization of the revolution, this step was justified under the
pretext of self-defense, opening the door to violence bringing the country into a bloody
civil war.

2.2.2 Syrian war and atrocious of the conflicts

The uprising in Syria has turned into a daily armed conflict between Assad's forces and the
opposition militants. The conflict gradually morphed from use of light weapons to use of
heavy weapons. The opposition formed light armed rebel brigades to assault governmental
forces to control the main cities, heavily inhabited cities and towns are used by the
opposition as hiding palaces. Civilians were killed during the clashes between the
opposition and the government. In December 2011, the United Nations (UN) estimated the
death toll in Syria after nine months of continuous protests and clashes at 5,00069. The
internal conflict expanded into a full-fledged civil war. Syrian regime has been trying to
suppress the new armed groups by employing increasing levels of fire. In 2012, Rebel
forces have made dramatic territorial gains as the opposition's armed units succeeded in
reaching Damascus and Aleppo. The opposition started to eliminate the presence of
governmental forces in the countryside of both cities. In that year, Syrian war entered a
terminal phase due to the use of air weapons and artillery against insurgent areas and
hundreds of heavy shells and mortar bombs against Assad's dominated regions, wounding
and killing thousand of civilians, including women and children. 70 The attacks on civilians,
have forced people to flee homes. The UNHCR registered in 2012 a total number of
67 Ghattas, Kamal, Hamdi Alkhshali, and Eve Bower (6. January 2011). Syrian Official: There Is No
Crackdown. CNN International Edition.2.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/25/syria.unrest/, retrieved on: 19. March 2015.
68 See Spyer, Jonathan (May/June 2012). Defying a Dictator: Meet the Free Syrian Army. In: World Affairs
Journal. (n.p.) http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/defying-dictator-meet-free-syrian-army,
retrieved on:18. March 2015.
69 As Syrian Death Toll Tops 5,000, UN Human Rights Chief Warns about Key City (12. December 2011).
UN News Center. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40708#.VQqwwlWG_0E, retrieved
on: 19. March 2015.
70 See Amnesty International USA. News (6. Augst 2012). Satellite Images from Escalating Syrian Conflict
Are Reason for Concern. http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/satellite-images-fromescalating-syrian-conflict-are-reason-for-concern, retrieved on: 19. March 2015.

17

311,50071 Syrians who are registered or awaiting to be registeated as refugees in Jordan,

Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. These numbers have increased between 2012-2014 along the
Syrian conflicts72. After two years of fights, the opposition fighters have started to turn
weapons at one another. The FSA reiterates its demands for more support from the
international community for fighting the extremists in Syria and driving out al-Qaeda
linked brigades.73 The most dramatic events of 2013 in the history of the war was the
appearance of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria 74 which has taken over Ar-Raqqah city75.
Since the appearance of ISIS, Syrian conflict took a new course. Islamic State in Iraq and
Syria has forced itself on Syrians. In addition to that it has excercised on people brutal
crimes. Another dramatic event in 2013, the chemical attack at several agricultural districts
around Damascus.76 Refugee displacements have witnessed an overwhelming increase due
to the changes on the ground. The United Nations human rights Organization announced
that the current death toll in Syria has reached approximately 93,000 with more than 5,000
people killed as the situation in the country has deteriorated excessively over the past
year.77 By the end of 2013, the number of registerd Syrian refugees have recorded
2,301,668.78
With the violence boiling between the two Syrian fighting parties, Assad regime became
weaker. Therefore, the governmental forces have taken defensive positions in all locations.
The regime in Damascus has asked for a help from its allaince 79. Hezbollah militants80
backed by Iran has fought with Assad in Syria. In 2014, the fighting became the worst as
Syria has witnessed violent clashes between Sunni fighters and Shiite Hezbollah militias.
The conflict is more than just a battle between Assad and his opponents. It has acquired
sectarian implications, pitching the country's Sunni majority against Assad's Shia-Alawite
71 Number of Syrian Refugees in Neighbouring Countries Has Tripled in Three Months (n.d). United
Nations News Center. United Nations. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?
NewsID=43187#.VYWcjkYY2a8, retrieved on: 19. March 2015.
72 See Ibid.
73 Jabhat al-Nusra and Jihadist groups in Syria are branches of the al-Qaeda. They are operating in Syria
and Lebanon since the break of violance in the country.
74 Islamic extremist group controlling territoral area in Iraq and Syria. The group used the Islamic Sharia as
a source for legalizing its barbaric actions.
75 Raqqah is located on the north bank of the Euphrates River, about 160 kilometres east of Aleppo.
76 Rockets filled with the nerve agent sarin were fired in August 2013. The opposition and Assad acuse each
other for this attack.
77 See Nearly 93,000 People Killed in 'vicious' Syria Conflict (13. June 2013). UN Human Rights Chief.
UN News Center. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45162#.VQsKD1WG_0E, retrieved
on: 19 March 2015.
78 See Syria Regional Refugee Response (18. March 2015). AFAD, UNHCR. UNHCR Registration,
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php, retrieved on:19. March 2015.
79 Iran is Assad's closest strategic ally.
80 Lebanese Shia Islamist group and political party. It is one of Assad and Iran's closest ally.

18

alliance.81 That's how Syria was pulled into a long sectarian conflict. Hundreds of
thousands of Syrians are fleeing home everyday because they do not want to live under the
umbrella of the Islamic State or the dictator state of Bashar al-Assad. By the end of 2014,
the death tolls doubled in comparison to the most years reaching 191,000 Syrians at least.82

2.3 Arrival of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to Germany

Germany is one of the the major hosting countries of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in
Europe.83 Nevertheless, only 20,000 Syrian refugees have been offered the right of
asylums in the EU. This number equals 4 percent of the total number of Syrian refugees
worldwide.84 In January 2010, 84 Syrians have been granted the right of Asylum prior to
the crisis in Syria.85 In December 2014, Germany accepted 5,101 asylum applications just
from Syrians.86 The total number of Syrian applications since the break of the conflict until
the end of 2014 has exceeded 72.00087. Syria is the second refugee exporting country to
Germany after Kosovo.88 There is no systematic information about the arrival of the first
Syrian refugee in Germany, Of these; not all Syrian refugees have come to Germany
during the current conflict in Syria.89

81 See Rodgers, Lucy, David Gritten, James Offer, and Patrick Asare (12. March 2015). Syria: The Story of
the Conflict. In: BBC News-Middle East. BBC. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868,
retrieved on: 11. February 2015.
82 See Price, Megan, Anita Gohdes, and Patrick Ball (August 2014). Updated Statistical Analysis of
Documentation of Killings in the Syrian Arab Republic. Ed. Third : UN Human Rights Data Analysis
Group, pp. 1-2. http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SY/HRDAGUpdatedReportAug2014.pdf,
retrieved on: 19. March 2015.
83 See Do, What Europe Can, To Ensure Protection, and And Solidarity (2014). SYRIAN REFUGEES IN
EUROPE. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
http://www.unhcr.de/uploads/tx_n4mteaserobjects/UNHCR_Report_on_Syrian_Refugees_in_Europe.pdf,
retrieved on: 20. March 2015.
84 See Interview with Hlne Flautre, Member of the European Parliament (n.d). In: Syrian Refugees-A
SNAPSHOT OF THE CRISIS IN MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPE. http://syrianrefugees.eu//?
page_id=311, retrieved on: 20. March 2015.
85 See Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (12. January 2015). Message to the author.
E-mail. Bro des Prsidenten Presse/ffentlichkeitsarbeit Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nrnberg.
86 See Ibid., Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (9. January 214).
87 See Ehrenstein, Claudia, and Eva Marie Kogel (28. October 2014). 70.000 Syrische Kinder Als
Flchtlinge Geboren. In: DIE WELT. WeltN24,
http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article133729925/70-000-syrische-Kinder-als-Fluechtlingegeboren.html, retrieved on: 21. March 2015.
88 See Aktuelle Zahlen Zu Asyl (February. 2015). Bundesamt Fr Migration Zu Flchtlinge, p.7.
https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Downloads/Infothek/Statistik/statistik-anlage-teil-4aktuelle-zahlen-zu-asyl.pdf?__blob=publicationFilep, retrieved on: 21. March 2015.
89 See Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (8 January 2015). Message to the author. Email. Bro des Prsidenten Presse/ffentlichkeitsarbeit Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nrnberg.

19

The arrival of the first Syrian asylum seeker is not recorded officially. But, the avilable
data show that Germany witnessed a slight wave of Syrian refugees 90 before the crisis in
Syria. The majorty of these refugees were from the Syrian kurds who fled political
perscution under Assad's regime. The main wave of Syrian reufgees/asylum seekers has
come along the official German humanitarian admission program for Syrian refugees 91
over the course of the past three years. In this initiative, Syrian refugees are chosen by the
German governemnt due to specific humanitarian criteria from the neighbouring countries
of Syria. Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany are from all ethno-religious groups.
Nevertheless, not all of them have arrrived to Germany via the offical humanitarian
program. According to BAMF good numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have
come illegally to Germany and asked for the right of asylum. 92 The only current avilable
data on Syrian refugees are submitted assessments by BAMF, UN, and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). The reason for the lack of concrete figures on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers is due to the sudden onset of the crisis, the increasing number of
continous new arriving Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to Germany.93
Numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany.94

2603 1452
6090

11830

32828

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

90 See Der Fall Der Familie Darwisch (9. May 2009). Bayerischer Flchtlingsrat.
http://www.fluechtlingsrat-bayern.de/abschiebungen-nach-syrien.html, retrieved on: 21 March. 2015.
91 In May 2013, Germany agreed to grant 5,000 Syrians asylum. Germany raised the number to 10,000 in
December. There were reportedly over 75,000 applications for the second set of 5,000 spots.
92 See Ibid.,Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (8. January 2015).
93 See Woeltert, Franziska/Reiner Klingholz (2014). WER LEBT BEI UND MIT UNS IN
DEUTSCHLAND? In: Neue Potenziale Zur Lage Der Integration in Deutschland. Berlin: Berlin Institut
F. Bevolkerung U. Entwicklung /Berlin Institute for Population and Development, p. 25.
94 According to Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge/German Immigration and Refugee Authority.

20

2.3.1 Background information on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany

Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany hail from different sectarian and ethnic
backgrounds. They belong to the largest ethnographical group: Sunni Arabs and Sunni
Kurds from northern east of Syria in particular and Sunni inhabitated cities and
neighbourhoods in general. The Sunni areas in Syria (all parts of the country, except the
Syrian shore where Alawites live, and south west of Syria where Druze live.) have
incubated extremists95 that forced many moderate and secular Sunnis, who do not want to
live under their extremism to leave the country. The war in Syria forced people at first to
seek asylam in the Middle East. Yet, the derailed humanitarian and security conditions in
the Middle East have encouraged Syrians to take the journey to Germany. Until recently,
very few Syrian Kurds in the northern-east governorates (Al Qamishli, Al- Hasakah, and
Deir es Zur) have come to Germany. Syrian Kurds prefere to go to the Kurdish Sovereign
State in Iraq (Kurdistan)96 as they are welcomed there and do not have the language
barrier.
Syrian minorities Alawites, Shias, Druzes, and Christiasn move to Germany to avoid the
sectarian conflict and not to get involved in the Syrian war as they have been addressed to
join the Syrian army and fight for Assad.97 It is not of a suprise that so many Syria's
Alwaites and Shia have sought refuge in Germany, 98 as Germany offers refugees/asylum
seekers good standard of living: medical treatment, salary, education, training, and safety.
According to field study alongside this research99, moderate educated Alawites do not want
to live under the control of the Syrian regime or to live under strickt radical Assad's
loyalists. The rising internal conflicts into minority groups in general and shias and
Alawites in particular the conflict is due to the political stance of Assad have made Assad's
dominated areas unappealing for moderate/educated Alwaites and Shias. Therefore, they
flee violance elsewhere even in Germany.100 Syrian Christians form an important part of
95 See Solomon, Erika (29. March 2012). Islamists Find Foothold in Syria Revolt.In: Reuters. Thomson
Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/us-syria-islamists-idUSBRE82S0O120120329,
retrieved on: 22. March 2015.
96 Geographical portions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The Iraqi region of Kurdistan is meant here.
97 See Naylor, Hugh (12. November 2014. ). Some Alawites Are Beginning to Question Their Support for
Syria's Assad. In: Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/some-alawitesare-beginning-to-question-their-support-for-syrias-assad/2014/11/11/ee302b0c-aac0-4f17-a220cddcd49b52db_story.html, retrieved on: 22. March 2015.
98 See Deutsche Welle (9. September 2013): Syrian Refugees Heading for Germany.
http://www.dw.com/en/syrian-refugees-heading-for-germany/a-17075719, retreieved on: 7. March 2015.
99 See Personal interviews with Syrian Alawites in Friedland. December. 2014.
100 See Olmert, Josef (28. March 2014). Alawites Under Attack: A Syrian Update. In: The Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-josef-olmert/alawites-under-attack-a-s_b_5050245.html, retrieved on:
22. March 2015.

21

Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. After the start of Syrian crisis, pressure
mounted on Syrian christians as many christians have been govermental employees under
Assad, which gave them the reputation of servants of Assad. Assad used them as an excuse
in front of the West. He claims that he protects the minorities.101 Radicals and Assad's
militants often targeted christian livelihoods in Syria. Hard-line Islamic groups asked local
Christians to pay Jizya102 or leave Syria. Syrian christians were famous to be bankers,
goldsmiths, and jewelers and their reputation as wealthy people put them at heightening
risk for ransom kidnappings. Following the beginning of the conflict, they quickly became
a target for both Assad's loyalists and the opposition rebells. There is a very strong feeling
among the various Syrian minorities that leaving Syria will lead to the disappearance of
their communities and distinct cultures in the Middle East in general and Syria in
particular. Not all Syrians who submitted applications to Germany are refugees in the pure
sense of the world. Many Syrians have come to Germany to reunit with relatives or to seek
an income. Some do travel back and forth between the Middle East and Germany. Yet, the
majorties have fled the conflict in Syria and cannot return home now or soon due to bad
security reasons.

2.3.2 Motivation for Germany

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, around 210,000 Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
have made it to Europe legally and illegaly. Almost half of them target Germany as a main
destination to settle down in.103 Why is it that so many different Syrians-from various
ethnic-relgious backgrounds, have chosen Germany? A number of different factos are at
play.
Geographic position: Germany is at the heart of Europe with common border. It is easier
to get to Germany than other European country. The presence of Frankfurt International
Airport makes Germany easy to reach from the Middle East, particularly from Lebanon, as
international flights stop for transit at Frankfurt International Airport. Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers get an advantage of corruption in the Middle East, and take a
fligh that has a stop at Frankfurt International Airport. Than, they surrender to the police in
101See Ibid.
102A tax non-Muslims historically paid in Muslim States.
103See FAZ.NET (21. March 2015): Flchtlinge: Deutschland Hauptziel Fr Asylbewerber.
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/asylbewerber-wollen-vor-allem-nach-deutschland-12857022. html,
retrieved on: 23. March 2015.

22

the airport and submit an asylum application in Germany.104

Quick easy family reunification: It is easier in Germany for Syrian asylum seekers to
bring their family members after they have gained the refugee status than any other EUcountry. In three months directly after being recognized as refugee, the refugee has the
right to bring his/her family to Germany. 105 However; sometimes they are compelled to
wait for years to meet with their spouses and children, who might be in situations of
insecurity and ill-treatment. Germany is committed to human rights. Thus, it is compelled
to uphold its commitments. Germany cannot be perceived as betraying vulnerable
refugees, even if the refugee burden is increasing. The Syrian refugees/asylum seekers can
be sure that their familes will join them in Germany. Above all, the German state covers
the whole cost of family reunification.106
Good standards of living: Germany offers Syrian refugees/asylum seekers free access to
public services more than any other European country. The government pays not only for
the accommodation of the refugee/asylum seeker, but also the health insurance in additon
to a regular monthly income. Syrian refugees/asylum seekers can enroll for free in German
schools, and have access freely to all health services.107
Economic factors: It is easy for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to find small jobs in
Germany due to the fact that Germany has a high rate of Arab immigrants, where
refugees/asylum seekers who do not speak the language can work. Many of them tend to
work on the black market taking an advantage of the transparent German eonomic system.
This explains why, generally speaking, Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany are
rich in comparsion to other Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the EU.108
Other motivation: There are more intangible factors at play, but that come up repeatedly
in conversation with Syrian refugees, which are clearly important. Germans have a better
104 See Why Germany? (December. 2014). Personal interview. Illegal flight from Lebanon to Venezuela
with a transit stop at Frankfurt International Airport.
105See Bell, Roland, Dr. Entscheiderbrief/ Informations-Schnelldienst (2014). No. 21 Jahrgang. Vol. 3.
Nrnberg: Informationszentrum Asyl Und Migration.
http://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Publikationen/Entscheiderbrief/2014/entscheiderbrief-032014.pdf?__blob=publicationFile, retrieved on: 24. March 2015.
106See Becker, Benedikt, Katharina Gelhaus, and Kathrin Wiewe (15. August 2013). Schwarz Ist Die
Hoffnung. In: ifp Dossier Asyl. Asyl Journal. http://asyl.journalistenschule-ifp.de/schwarz-ist-diehoffnung/, retrieved on: 24. March 2015.
107See Peters, Freia (4. September 2014). Immer Mehr Asylbewerber Bekommen Geld Vom Staat. DIE
WELT. http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article131919754/Immer-mehr-Asylbewerber-bekommenGeld-vom-Staat.html, retrieved on: 24. March 2015.
108See Why Germany? (24. February 2015). Personal interview. Illegal workers tend to be in small shops
run by other Syrians or Arabs in Bad Godesberg.

23

reputation among Syrian refugees/asylum seekers than do many Europeans. After three
year of continous presidency, Germany offers the refugee the right of unlimited residency.
Despite the diffculties that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers encounter in the new hosting
culture, many Syrians know that they are treated better in Germany than they are
elsewhere in the world. The good treatment from Germany leads to the arrival of more
refugees/asylum seekers from Syria as people establish livlihoods, bring families and
encourage friends and realtives to do the same.

2.3.3 Distribution of Syrian Refugees/Asylum Seekers in Germany

Since Germany has agreed to host Syrian refugees/asylum seekers via its humanitarian
program and the increase of the influx of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, German
government has started to distribute Syrian refugees/asylum seekers all over the country.
Germany hosts permanently Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the following regions.109
Distribution of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in German regions

1462 746 1776

3265

1064
716
563
1093
1048

830
455
624
1345

4186
582 2212

BadenWrttemberg

Bayern

Berlin

Brandenburg

Bremen

Hamburg

Hessen

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Niedersachsen

Nordrhein Westfalen

Rheinland Pfalz

Saarland

Sachsen

Sachsen Anhalt

Schleswig Holstein

Thringen

109See Ibid., Your Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees ( 8. January 2015).

24

3 German media landscape

Germany revels among EU's countries in terms of population, technology and economic
strength. It is viewed as one of the most highly efficient industrial nations after the United
States of America (USA), Japan, and China. Moreover, it is the largest and most important
market in the EU,110 and around 82,2 million people live in Germany.111 Recent studies in
2013 stated that 1,97 million people have four or more TV sets at home 112, Germany's
media industry looks back at a long history of mass media to Johann Carolus113 who
printed at first the modern newspaper in the autumn of 1605 in the city of Strassburg in the
Alsace.114
During the years of the Nazi era, the media in the country had become the mouthpiece of
the dictatorship, as it was used to facilitate the political propagenda. This era pre-dated
television. Newspapers along with cinemas and radios were used to spread
information.115In 1945, German media observed an Hour Zero116 and started almost
completely afresh. The post-war media landscape was built newly on the principle of press
freedom. The new media was organized and protected as stipulated in the German
constitution of 1949.117 As a consequence of the World War II, Germany was split between
East and West. This period witnessed the emergence of two political states: Federal
Repubic of Germany and German Democratic Republic (GDR). The Media system in the
GDR experienced harsh conditions, as GDR was isolated from the western democratic
countries. The media in GDR was centralised and nationalized by the state and worked
under the control of the ruling political party.118 In Federal Republic of Germany, the media
110See Hintereder, Peter, and Martin Orth (n.d). Strong Economic Hub in the Global Market. In: Facts About
Germany. http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/economy/main-content-06/strong-economichub-in-the-global-market.html, retrieved on: 25. March 2015.
111See Amend, Rita. Population of Germany-Where Live the Most German People? In: Germany In sider
Facts. Rita Amend, (2010-201). http://www.germany-insider-facts.com/population-ofgermany.html#.VRKQVO6G_0E, retrieved on: 25. March 2015.
112See Das Statistik-Portal. Statisa (n.d). Bevlkerung in Deutschland Nach Anzahl Der Fernsehgerte Im
Haushalt Von 2010 Bis 2014 (Personen in Millionen).
http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/171950/umfrage/anzahl-der-fernseher-im-haushalt/, retrieved
on: 25. March 2015.
113Johann Carolus is a German publisher and the father of the first printed newspaper.
114See Weber, Johannes ( 2006). Strassburg, 1605: The Origins of the Newspaper in Europe.In: German
History 24.3. Oxford Journals, pp. 387-412. http://gh.oxfordjournals.org/content/24/3/387.full.pdf,
retrieved on: 25. March 2015.
115See Trueman, Chris (April. 2014). Newspapers in Nazi Germany. History Learning Site,
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/newspapers_nazi_germany.htm, retrieved on: 25. March 2015.
116Hour Zero is a term indicates the beginning of Stunde Null operation in Germany, Stunde Null has a
particular reference to May 8, 1945, when the capitulation of the Nazi forces commanders came into
effect, marking the end of World War 2 in Europe according to Geschichte-Lernen.de.
117See Kleinsteuber, Hans/Barbara Thomass (2007). The German Media Landscape. In: European Media
Governance: National and Regional Dimensions. Georgios Terzis (ed.). Bristol: Intellect, p.111.
118See Naughton, Leonie(2002). That Was the Wild East: Film Culture, Unification, and the new Germany.
Ann Arbor: U of Michigan, pp. 3-8.

25

landscape was liberal, and it was protected by law, and placed in the hands of the private
sector.119 In 1990, Germany reunited. The media system of the former German Democratic
Republic dissolved concurrent with the unification, but patterns of media usage quiet differ
between West and East. Today, the major media producers are located in the former West
Germany, media producers of the former GDR are ruled by Western companies.120
The current Germany's media landscape has a dual system of public and commercial
broadcasters. The German Federal Constitution regards public broadcasters as part of
cultural sovereignty. Therefore, it is set up as an independent and non-commercial
organization. It is mainly financed by licence fees.121 Commercial broadcasting is known
as private broadcasting; they became legal in the 1980s. The commercial television market
is dominated by the RTL group and ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG.122 The new commercial
programmes generate turnovers by commercial advertisements or charged services. Today,
Germany has around 300 daily papers, 30 weeklies and 10,000 magazines and specialist
journals. In addition to public and private televisions and radios.123 The Internet is a new
source of information that people use in Germany. Germans are increasingly turning to
online media. Newspapers are battling with meeting the need of the market and keeping
the quality of media products. The competition on the market drives traditional media
producers to boost up and have online presence. The goal of this variety in models is to
guarantee political independence for excluding any possibility of dominating the German
media.124

3.1 History, ownership, policy of print media in Germany

The history of German newspapers is a chapter of the German history going back to the
early time of the print industry, and the discovery of mechanical print machine in 1450 by
the German printer Johannes Gutenberg125. The first printed versions of first newspapers
were circulated among the elites, passing along information about several topics of
119See Glatzer, Wolfgang (1992). 13.2 Mass Information. Recent Social Trends in West Germany, 19601990. Frankfurt Am Main: Campus Verlag, p. 403.
120See Kleinsteuber, Hans J., and Barbara Thomass (n.d). Media Landscape/Germany. In: European
Journalism Centre (EJC). http://ejc.net/media_landscapes/germany, retrieved on: 26. March 2015.
121See Ibid.
122See The Media Authorities (n.d.) In: Die Medienanstalten-Profile. Die Medienanstalten. http://www.diemedienanstalten.de/en/profile.html, retrieved on: 26. March 2015.
123See The Media Landscape in Germany (n.d). In: Euro-topics. Bundeszentrale Fr Politische Bildung.
http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/medienlandschaft/deutschlandmdn/, retrieved on: 26. March 2015.
124Ibid.
125Gutenberg was the first European to use movable type printing machine. Among his many contributions
to printing are: the invention of a process for mass-producing movable type, the use of oil-based ink, and
the use of a wooden printing press.

26

different interests to the people. The first copies were in the form of news pamphlets or
broadsides, and appeared occasionally when there is an extra-ordinary event.126 The first
predecessors of all newspapers to appear on 15.01.1609 in Germany, was Aviso, Relation
oder Zeitung127, this newspaper was followed in 1615 by Frankfurter Postzeitung, which
was published regularly each week for 250 years.128 The first true daily newspaper in
German was Einkommenden Zeitungen in Leipzig. For a generation Einkommenden
Zeitungen was the only officially sanctioned newspaper.129 By the end of the century, there
were many periodicals in print. The oldest German newspapers that operate until today
Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung, this newspaper has appeared since 1705.130 Additionally,
Bremer Nachrichten since 1743.131 Press prospered parallel to the blooming of big cities in
Germany. The 19th century newspapers were the lifeblood of the people because of the
increasing demands on news and financial information. The use of innovative technology
in press industry in 1880s, enabled rapid production of print press and facilitated the
spread of newspapers. The new assembly method made newspapers easy to produce as
many as wanted per day at cheaper prices.132 In 1897, 91 newspapers were frequently
avilable as daily newspapers on the market; the top newspaper at that time was
Frankfurter Zeitung. It was available on the three working days during the week, in
addition to a special copy on Sunday. In this year, 12,5 million newspaper copies were sold
per day to 52 million inhabitants in Reich region; almost each four citizens of that time had
a copy of newspaper. By the end of 19 th century, newspapers emerged as a trustworthy
source of information for the public.133
During the First World War, German print media played a fundamental role in the affairs
126See Die Geschichte Der Tageszeitungen. In: Deutsche Tageszeitungen.http://www.deutschetageszeitungen.de/pressefachartikel/die-geschichte-der-tageszeitungen/, retrieved on: 26. March 2015.
127See Schrder, Thomas (1995). Aviso Und Relation. In: Die Ersten Zeitungen: Textgestaltung Und
Nachrichtenauswahl. Tubingen: G. Narr, pp. 26-27.
128See Ber, Rudolf (2005). Das 15. Bis 18. Jahrhundert. In: Deutsche Pressegeschichte: Von Den Anfangen
Bis Zur Gegenwart. 2., Uberarb. Aufl. ed. Konstanz: UVK-Verl.-Ges, pp.70-75.
129See Hauff, Else Bogel (n.d). Eine Leipziger Zeitung Vor 1650. In: International Communication Gazette.
SAGE Journals. August 1967; vol. 13, 3. pp, 275-279.
http://gaz.sagepub.com/content/13/3/275.full.pdf+html, retrieved on: 26. March 2015.
130See Geschichte Der HAZ:Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung-Die lteste Tageszeitung Deutschlands. In:
Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung. http://www.hildesheimer-allgemeine.de/ueberuns.html, retrieved on:
26. March 2015.
131See Hagelweide, Gert (2007). Zeitungs-und Zeitschriftentitle-Register. Literatur Zur Deutschsprachigen
Presse. Munchen: Saur, p. 52.
132See Rehm, Phil Margarete (n.d). Die Geschichte Der Zeitungen in Deutschland. In: Geschenkzeitung.de,
Teil 4/Fortschritte der Drucktechnik im 19. Jahrhundert.
http://www.geschenkzeitung.de/popups/geschi4.htm, retrieved on: 28 March. 2015.
133See Dussel, Konrad (2004). Presse Im Kaiserreich: 1871-1918. In: Deutsche Tagespresse Im 19. Und 20.
Jahrhundert. Munster: Lit, p. 91.

27

of the wars. Many military officers and politicians used newspapers as platform to
comment on the affairs of the war. It was widely known that the Klnische Zeitung was
often 'inspired' by German officials, who either wrote articles under pseudonyms or
provided sensitive information to publicists and journalists.134
Before the First World War, Germany had around 4000 newspapers. Nevertheless, the
number of newspapers during the war shrank as the press freedom experienced a setback
due to the strict military censorship.135 In the 1920s; German newspapers have been on top
as radio in that time was not that popular among people. The T.V market was so small that
made print press as the most important mass communication model in that period. 136 In
1932, Germany had around 7,703 daily newspapers and weekly magazines.137
Nevertheless, During the Second World War, the situation of German press deteriorated.
Newspapers were dominated by the Nazi Party and used for its propagande. In this era,
German newspapers were crucial instruments at the hand of Nazis for sharing and
acquiring information serving their policies and agendas. In October 1933, the Reich Press
Law stated that all journalism had to be racially clean and loyal to the Nazis. Any Jewish
or liberal editor and journalist was arrested. Thus, all remaining journalists and editors had
to be proven clean and loyal by Nazis. Any journalist or editor who failed to prove his/her
pure German origin and loyality to Nazis, the goverment banned the production of his/her
newspaper for a few days that could then become weeks and months. Nazi's media sector
recovered after January 1933. The official newspapers of the Third Reich were Vlkischer
Beobachter and Der Angriff. Vlkischer Beobachter was produced in the city of Munich
and printed in the morning while Der Angriff was issued in Berlin and appeared in the
afternoon. In this method, the Nazis covered the whole of Germany. Both newspapers were
pro Adolf Hitler and National Socialism and pushed Nazis' ideas.138
The Ownership of German newspapers remains concentrated in just a few large leading
groups. With regard to national newspapers, over 87 percent of national press market is
controlled by just three leading groups mainly: Axel Springer, Sddeutsche Verlag (SV),
134Sass, Erik (2. March 2014). World War I Centennial: German Newspapers Beat the War Drums In:
Mental Floss Magazine. http://mentalfloss.com/article/55354/world-war-i-centennial-germannewspapers-beat-war-drums, retrieved on: 28. March 2015.
135See Nner, Andreas (2011). Jazz in Der Weimarer Republik.Zwischen Imitation Und Eigenstandigkeit:
Jazz in Der Weimarer Republik. Berlin: Epubli GmbH, p. 51.
136See Ibid.
137See Zeitungsgeschichte Von Den Anfngen Bis Heute. In: BADISCHES-TAGBLATT.DE.
http://www.badisches-tagblatt.de/UnternehmenKleineZeitungskunde/00_20120717145002_101957770Zeitungsgeschichte-von-den-Anfaengen-bis-heute.html, retrieved on: 6. July 2015.
138See Ibid., Trueman. Newspapers in Nazi Germany.

28

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Verlag.139 Axel Springer is considered to be not only the
largest publishing house in Germany, but also in EU. It holds numerous newspapers: Bild,
Die Welt, and Fakt.140
In 2014, Axel Springer shares of the German market for daily newspapers was estimated
15,5 percent.141 This number is relatively large considering that Bild (tabloid-styled
newspaper) is the highest circulation newspaper in Europe with, a daily readership in
excess of 12 million.142 The hause also owns a good number of regional and metropolitan,
giving Axel Springer de facto monopoly in the case.143
Sddeutsche Verlag has been ranked among the top publishers in Germany144 due to its
publishing archives in and outside Germany. Sddeutsche Verlag focuses on newspapers.
Its very large newspaper (Sddeutsche Zeitung) is read by 1,1 million readers daily.145
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Verlag has been ranked for years among the top
publishing houses in Germany146 because it owns a top selling newspaper FAZ with the
widest circulation abroad as it delivers the newspaper to 148 countries everyday. 147 The
selling figures of the newspaper kept the owners strong on the market. In January 2013,
FAZ had 338,478 registered subscribers.148
German newspapers enjoy independence, as the state does not participate in making the
internal policy of the press. The content of the newspapers is the decision of editorial
board. German newspapers are battle grounds for public debates. The individual tone and
political bias of daily German newspapers differ from one newspaper to another. There is
139See Albertazzi, Daniele, and Paul Cobley (2013). What Are the Media?.In: The Media an Introduction.
3rd ed. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, p.144.
140FAKT is Polish tabloid-style daily newspaper, and it is one of the best-selling papers in Poland.
141See Daily Newspaper Circulation Share of Publishing Groups in Germany in the First Quarters of 2012
and 2014. In: Statista. Statista 2015. http://www.statista.com/statistics/411063/publishers-daily-papermarket-shares-germany/,retrieved on: 31. March 2015.
142See Schultz, Stefan, Vanessa Steinmetz, and Christian Teevs (26. July 2013). Sell-Off: Newspaper Giant
Turns Back on Journalism. In: Spiegel Online. http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/axelspringer-sells-off-clutch-of-newspapers-and-magazines-a-913296.html, retrieved on: 31. March 2015.
143See Ibid.
144See Sddeutscher Verlag EFLOWTM Sorgt Fr Schlagzeilen. Ecm-lounge. Top Image Systems
Deutschland GmbH (8 February. 2012). Case Study.
http://www.ecmlounge.com/files/2012/08/case_studies/TIS/eFLOW_SV_German.pdf. retrieved on: 1.
April 2015.
145See Magazines in the Reading Room (n.d). Goethe Institute Glasgow.
http://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/gla/bib/best/zei/enindex.htm, retrieved on:1. April 2015.
146See Altendorfer, Otto (2001). Tageszeitung. Das Mediensystem Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Wiesbaden: Westdt. Verl, p. 99.
147See Ibid.
148See Mal, Jiina (2013). Die Zeit Und Frakfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Im Vergleich. Information System
Masaryk. University Masaryk. http://is.muni.cz/th/382736/ff_b/Bakalarska_prace__Lucie_Sanderova.txt, retrieved on:1. April 2015.

29

no one-party press; newspapers are not concentrated fully as the German law does not
allow high and complete concentration for assuring variety of opinions. A careful
comparative study of two leading German newspapers (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
and Sddeutsche Zeitung) during the war of Iraq and Kosovo emphasizes the great
differences between the two newspapers in reporting on two events in the world. Both
tended to vary in similar ways from conflict to conflict, in the volume and management of
opinion. The two newspapers shared significant and similar orientations in views on
Kosovo (Positive) and Iraq (Negative) that provides a real test of objectivity in the value
and the direction of German newspapers.The key finding was that the wars themselves,
and not the political leanings of the papers were the significant factors in the opinion slant
of the coverage.149 In evaluating both newspapers, it is prominently evident and mainly on
the basis of sampling of political views, that FAZ has a conservative orientation. Yet, the
newspaper has high credibility among German readers for its conservative policy,
meanwhile; its strong competitor Sddeutsche Zeitung is regarded as a liberal centre-left
paper.150

3.2 German national newspapers

The newspaper market in Germany is characterized by a large number of publications and
regional differences alongside the daily newspapers. There are ten national daily
newspapers that regarded as top quality publications and nine newspapers evaluated as top
popular newspapers that focus on common interest matters.151
The first group plays an outstanding role in the German press. To this group belongs the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Sddeutsche Zeitung. As for the second group of
national newspapers, Bild newspaper could be cited. Both types of newspapers differ in
content. The quality national newspapers focus constantly on the information and the
structure, despite the continued emergence of news coverage and the competition on the
market. National newspapers offer in-depth analysis and background reporting addressing
149Marcinkowski, Frank/ Barbara Pfetsch (2009). Power and the News Media: The Press and Democratic
Accountability. In: Politik in Der Mediendemokratie. Sonderhaft 42/2009 ed. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag Fur
Sozialwissenschaften /GWV Fachverlage GmbH, Wiesbaden, p. 42.
150See Berkel, Barbara (2006). Entwicklung Europischer Bewertungsmuster. Konflikt Als Motor
Europaischer Offentlichkeit Eine Inhaltsanalyze Von Tageszeitungen in Deutschland, Frankreich,
Grossbritannien Und Osterreich. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag Fur Sozialwissenschaften /GWV Fachverlage
GmbH, Wiesbaden, p. 189.
151See.The Press (n.d.). A Wide Range of Newspapers. Facts about Germany: The Press,
http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/culture-and-media/main-content-09/the-press.html,
retrieved on: 3 April 2015.

30

specific topics, and comments on these topics. This type of publications is considered to
have high influence on the public opinion. The second type of national newspapers
Boulevard Press plays an active role in the social discourses of daily social life. Daily
national newspapers of this type are the most popular publications in Germany. 152 Despite
the large number of strong local and regional newspapers and various magazines in
Germany, the number of national newspapers in term of circulation figures account for 1,6
million exemplars per day not taking the biggest tabloid (Bild) into consideration.153

3.2.1 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

The founders of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung were dedicated democratic minded,
whose goal was to institute a politically independent daily paper for Germany after the
World War II. The early policy of the newspaper was mainly determined by its first
business manager Otto Klepper154; during Klepper's exile, he developed with other
Germans a wide political vision for Germany after the war. Klepper was determined to
help in establishing a democratic society. He returned to Germany and participated in
promoting democracy depending on a social market economy. Klepper was indoctrinated
that the success of a new democratic Germany relies seriously on politically independent
media. For that reason, he introduced the idea to publish an independent new daily
newspaper FAZ. The newspaper was founded on 01.12.1949, and Klepper turned to be the
first business manager of the paper.155 Later on, the newspaper's corporate charter
stipulated that the editorial daily work flow must be managed by professional editors. One
of the top competent editors was Erich Welter156. On its cover page, the leading editorial
team cleared that the aim of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is to be a voice of Germany
in the world, however; in its 16 pages, there was no reference to Germany's past era under
Hitler.157 After less than a year, Klepper disgruntled with direction editorial team; he quit
152See Brocchi, Davide (6. August 2008). Die Presse in Deutschland. In: Magazin Cultura 21.
http://magazin.cultura21.de/kultur/wissen/die-presse-in-deutschland.html, retrieved on: 3. April 2015.
153 See Sterling, Christopher H (2009). German Journalism in the Twenty-First Century. In: Encyclopedia
of Journalism. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Reference, p. 669.
154 Otto Klepper is a social democrat and a lawyer, he was Prussia's minister of finance during the period of
Great Depression. After Hitler's National Socialists came into power in 1933, Klepper left Germany to
avoid the Nazis' campaigns against social democrats.
155See Von Pufendorf, Astrid (1997). Nachkriegszeit-die Deutsche Chance. Otto Klepper (1888-1957):
Deutscher Patriot Und Weltburger. Munchen: R. Oldenbourg, p. 254.
156Erich Welter is a Journalist, editor, and lecturre; he was a consultant to the Mainz-based regional daily
newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung after World War II. Before the war, he was employed for the daily
newspaper Frankfurter Zeitung in the Frankfurt am Main, which was closed by the Nazis in 1943.
157See Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH History. In: History of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
GmbH Funding Universe. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/frankfurter-allgemeine-

31

his job as business manager of the newspaper. Soon, the newspaper drifted into the
mainstream of the German dominant political life influenced strongly by the emerging
political powers. Klepper's dream to establish an independent newspaper for the whole
Germany soon became true.158
FAZ gained quickly high respect among readers; the early years of 1950s were difficult for
the newspaper and quite modest. The editorial team worked out of two flats in Frankfurt
am Main beside other staff from the advertising and administrative departments. In the
night, the offices turned to be bedrooms for the newspaper producers. In October 1950,
FAZ moved to new building in Frankfurt, where the whole staff worked together for the
first time. The print house of the newspaper was also located in Frankfurt, a few blocks
down from its new building. Until the mid of 1950s, the sold newspapers were less than
100,000 copies per day on average. Yet, the revenues of the newspaper increased steadily.
In 1959, an average of more than 200,000 copies per day was sold for the first time. In
1960s, during the German economic miracle, the newspaper bolstered its readership and
distribution, internationally as well as nationally. Nationally, the number of readers
increased by roughly 50,000 each decade. Internationally, the newspaper turned to be
highly reputed and was soon distributed in most countries around the world. In 1988, the
newspaper had achieved a highly regarded creative national print medium.159
While the paper grew in size through advertising, its content changed and expanded
according to the increasing needs of the local market. After the reunification of Germany
in 1990, FAZ experienced a slow in growth; the circulation went south as the advertising
business declined significantly. The down was estimated by 30 percent of its total sold
copies. Above all, the paper prices drove up more than 20 percent. Beginning 1996, the
number of copies sold in average started to recover anew. Two years later, the number of
copies sold per day in average exceeded 400,000 newspapers.160 By 1999, Frankfurter
Allgemine Zeitung's 50th anniversary year; the newspaper seemed to be back in good
financial conditions. Over 1,1 million people read the Frankfurter Allgemeine. The average
number of FAZ's copies sold daily estimated at 408,411. Advertising revenues had
zeitung-gmbh-history/, retrieved on: 6. April 2015.
158See bid.
159See Mohler, Caroline (2014). Alles ber Die Zeitung. Leaflet. 2nd ed. Frankfurt Am Main: Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH, Die Geschichte, pp. 5-6.
http://dynamic.faz.net/fem/kommunikation/2014/alles_ueber_14_Verlag_02_2014_September.pdf, retrieved
on: 8. April 2015.
160See Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Dahinter Steckt Immer ein Kluger Kopf (n.d). Agentur: Scholz and
Friends Berlin, p. 90. http://www.gwa.de/images/effie_db/1998/82727_086_FAZ.pdf, retrieved on: 7.
April 2015.

32

increased 28 percent within two years. There were 500 editors working for the newspaper
in addition to a network of 40 correspondents all over the world. In the late 1990s, the
newspaper brought a new generation to the editorial management team, after the managing
editors who shaped the history of FAZ retired. The young successors had their own
orientations. The world had changed, new ideological battles emerged. Furthermore, a
major new market had emerged in the mid of the 1990s the Internet forcing the newspaper
to reconsider its old layout and follow up the new trend in the world.161
In 2000, the newspaper implemented an online version and strengthened its internet arm
with information online services and broker. The goal of the creators was reached FAZ has
become a newspaper for Germany as a whole. In 2014, the newspaper through its website
successed in reaching 183,43 million readers per day.162

3.2.2 Sddeutsche Zeitung

Sddeutsche Zeitung is one of Germany's well reputed newspapers for its quality and
credibility. The newspaper was established directly after the Second World War. On the 6th
of October 1945, SZ1 received its license from the administration of the American Army in
Bavaria, since the permission was issued the newspaper started to operate. The first issue
of Sddeutsche Zeitung was issued on the same night the permission was granted.163
The first article of the newspaper included a message to the German readers.
Zum ersten Mal seit dem Zusammenbruch der braunen Schreckensherrschaft
erscheint in Mnchen eine von Deutschen geleitete Zeitung. Sie ist von den
politischen Notwendigkeiten der Gegenwart begrenzt, aber durch keine Zensur
gefesselt, durch keinen Gewissenszwang geknebelt.164
The founders of the newspaper emphasized from the early beginning the serious attitude of
the publication and the adherence to independent free media far away from any form of
censorship which German media landscape was suffering from during the Nazis' time.
161See Sjurts, Insa (2005). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Strategien in Der Medienbranche: Grundlagen
Und Fallbeispiele. 3., Uberarb. Und Erw. Aufl. Wiesbaden: Gabler, pp.54-55.
162See Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (15. July 2015). Preisliste. MEDIAPORTAl, p. 10.
https://filebox.faz.de/public/505F4B6E505D5D56545C54585F/Mediaportal/2015_FAZFAS_Media_Solutions-Preisliste_Nr._75, retrieved on: 12. July 2015.
163See Sddeutsche Zeitung (n.d). Deutsche Medien Einfluss Der Deutschen Presse. Medien Einfluss.
http://medieneinfluss.com/sdz/md/, retrieved on: 9. April 2015.
164 Flensburg Online (27. January 2008): Erste Ausgabe Der Sddeutschen Zeitung Vom 6. Oktober 1945.
Liebe Zur Freiheit. http://www.flensburg-online.de/blog/2008-01/1-ausgabe-der-suddeutschen-zeitungvom-6-oktober-1945-liebe-zur-freiheit.html, retrieved on: 8. April 2015.

33

Sddeutsche Zeitung was founded by Edmund Goldschagg165, Franz Joseph Schningh166,

and August Schwingenstein.167 The producers used the damaged press hause and technique
of the pre-war newspaper Mnchner Neueste Nachrichten for the production of
Sddeutsche Zeitung. Moreover, the founders of SZ1 found in Mnchner Neueste
Nachrichten a good model and a guideline for building up the new newspaper. 168 SZ1
thrived and quickly became a national publication for Germany. In 1946, Sddeutsche
Zeitung inaugurated a front-page column Das Streiflicht-the Spotlight-featuring a concise
insight of important events.169
As soon as enough news print was available, SZ1 went to thrice-weekly; in 1949, the daily
publication won popularity among German readers for its accurate presentation of news
and deep analysis of sensitive issues. In the 1950s the newspaper expanded into a
publishing house Sddeutscher Verlag, since that time, the newspaper occupies a good
position in the print industry in West Germany. In the period of 1995-1996 the paper had a
circulation of 407,000 copies.170 In 2001 the circulation reached 436,000 copies that made
SZ1 as one of the top 100 European newspapers.171
Today, Sddeutsche Zeitung is read daily and boasts a relatively high circulation abroad
that makes SZ1 as Germany's largest trans-regional quality newspaper. The newspaper
sells 397,000 copies and a reach of roughly 1,29 million readers per day. 172 The editorial
board of the newspaper defines itself as a liberal centre-left newspaper because it
distinguishes itself through its opinionated and independent journalism. It lays values on
critically minded editors and readers. Die Sddeutsche Zeitung ist nicht das Organ einer
Regierung oder einer bestimmten Partei, sondern ein Sprachrohr fr alle Deutschen, die
einig sind in der Liebe zur Freiheit, im Hass gegen den totalen Staat, im Abscheu gegen
165Edmund Goldschagg is a German journalist and publisher. He was also an editor of the Social
Democratic press service and the Munich Post in the Weimar period.
166Joseph Schningh is a German journalist, publishing director and shareholder of the South German
publishing house. Since 1935 he was editor and since 1939 until its ban. In 1941, he was the chief editor
of the magazine Highlands.
167August Schwingenstein is a German journalist, publisher and Politician.
168See Mnchener Zeitung (24. October 2012). Historisches Lexikon Bayerns.
http://www.historisches-lexikon-bayerns.de/artikel/artikel_45865, retrieved on: 8. April 2015.
169See SZ Im berblick (21. May 2010). Das Streiflicht.Sddeutsche Zeitung.
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/verlag/sz-im-ueberblick-das-streiflicht-1.569223, retrieved on: 8. April
2015.
170See McQuail, Denis (1998). The European Newspaper Market. In: Media Policy Convergence,
Concentration, and Commerce. London: Sage Publications, p. 10.
171See SMITH, ADAM (15. November 2002). EUROPEAN NEWSPAPERS. In: EUROPE'S TOP PAPERS.
Campaign. http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/164161/, retrieved on: 8. April 2015.
172See Sddeutschen Zeitung (n.d).Marken Und Imagewerbung.
http://sz-media.sueddeutsche.de/de/sueddeutsche-zeitung/uebersicht-markenwerbung.html, retrieved on: 8.
May 2015.

34

alles, was nationalsozialistisch ist.173

3.3 German regional newspapers

German regional newspapers are dedicated to the regional and local press coverage. Yet,
regional newspapers are also concerned with the international press coverage providing all
the most interesting news to the reader about Germany and the world. The regional
newspapers are not limited to one geographical area or region; they are concerned with
Germany. Regional newspapers are available in all formats and types for reaching the
demand and the test of the market. Most German readers rely on local or regional
newspapers174 as German regional newspapers brings national and international news on
the first page, and regional and local news inside.175
Figures of circulation show that the local and regional newspapers are very important in
Germany, 97 percent of the subscription press clears to be local which means a circulation
of 14,6 million.176 On first view, the German press appears to be highly diversified and
local, but in fact much content is produced by central offices of the big newsrooms where
local and regional press contents are developed each day. In many cases both national and
regional are only legally independent. Due to concentration and financial issues local and
regional newspapers work closely with large newspapers. Thus, they share regularly the
content and assure news production. The number of German regional newspapers has
reached 313 daily newspapers in 2014.177
Recent studies showed that 55 percent of local and regional newspapers subscribers are
women.178 The sold circulation of all categories of German regional newspapers from 2012
to 2014, by mode of purchase shows the number of readers of regional daily newspapers in
2013, are 26,61 million readers of regional daily newspapers were won via a household

173See Ibid., Erste Ausgabe Der Sddeutschen Zeitung Vom 6. Oktober 1945. Liebe Zur Freiheit.
174See Solsten, Eric (1996). The Mass Media. Germany: A Country Study. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: Federal
Research Division, Library of Congress, p. 398.
175See Hall, Christine (2001). German Newspapers and Magazines. Living & Working in Germany: Settle
in Quickly and Get the Most out of Your Stay. 3rd ed. Oxford, p.119.
176See Bundesverband Deutscher Zeitungdverlag (1. January 2014). Die Deutschen Zeitungen in Zahlen
Und Daten 2014 Haus Der Presse, p. 5.
http://www.bdzv.de/fileadmin/bdzv_hauptseite/markttrends_daten/wirtschaftliche_lage/2014/assets/ZDF_
2014.pdf, retrieved on: 6. March 2015.
177See Ibid.
178See Horizontal Online (26. July 2014.). Regionale Tageszeitungen Sind Quelle Nummer 1 Fr Lokale
Neuigkeiten. In: HORIZONT. http://www.horizont.net/medien/nachrichten/-Regionale-Tageszeitungensind-Quelle-Nummer-1-fuer-lokale-Neuigkeiten-109020, retrieved on: 9. April 2015.

35

subscription.179 Today, regional newspapers reach more readers than ever before in print,
on computers, as well as on smart phones. Some 2,5 million readers 180 visit the website of
a regional newspaper at least once a week using smart phones. The advancement in
technology helped the regional newspapers to have more access to readers by launching
online platforms.

3.3.1 Klner Stadt-Anzeiger

Klner Stadt-Anzeiger is a daily newspaper; it is one of the old German newspapers. The
roots of KSTA go deeply in the German history of print media. The newspaper appeared
first in 1876 as an equivalent counterpart newspaper of the famous national newspaper
Klnische Zeitung (a leading newspaper in the 19th century, the newspaper was famous for
its coverage during the First and Second World War). Toward the end of the Second World
War, Klner Stadt-Anzeiger had to close.181
In October 1949, KSTA started again its first issue. That time was marked by tough
competition in the press market. Under fierce circumstance, the newspaper developed
gradually and gained high respect among German readers for its quality and credibility. In
the late 1950s, the newspaper turned to be a leading newspaper of the region NRW. In
1960, Professor Alfred Neven DuMont182 became the main editor of the newspaper. Klner
Stadt-Anzeiger sees itself as the voice of people in North Rhine-Westphalia183 in general,
and the city of Cologne in particular. In the fourth quarter 2014, the newspaper subscribers
reached 289,616184. The antecedent number includes the sales of Klnische Rundschau.185
The newspaper is available as online and as an app with access to all regional editions.

179See Statista (n.d). Number of Readers of Regional Daily Newspapers in Germany from 2012 to 2014, by
Mode of Purchase (in Million People). http://www.statista.com/statistics/382230/regional-newspaperssubscription-vs-purchase-germany/, retrieved on: 9. April 2015.
180See Pasquay, Anja (23 November.2012). The Economic Situation of Newspapers in Germany 2012.In:
BDZV: Bundesverband Deutscher Zeitungsverleger E.V.http://www.bdzv.de/maerkte-unddaten/wirtschaftliche-lage/artikel/detail/the_economic_situation_of_newspapers_in_germany_2012/,
retrieved on: 9. April 2015.
181See Fischer, Heinz Dietrich (1972). Georg Potschka:KLNISCHE ZEITUNG (1802-1945).In: Deutsche
Zeitungen Des 17. [siebzehnten] Bis 20. [zwanzigsten] Jahrhunderts. Pullach Bei Munchen: Verlag
Dokumentation, pp.152-158.
182Alfred Neven DuMont studied Philosophy, History, Literature, and Journalism, He is the son of the
founder of M.DuMont publishing house where Klnischer Stadt-Anzeiger published.
183North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, as well as the fourth largest by area. It
was formed in 1946 as a merger of the North Rhineland and Westphalia.
184See Klner Stadt-Anzeiger. http://www.dumont.de/medien-services/medien/tageszeitungen/koelner-stadtanzeiger.html, retrieved on:10. April 2015.
185 Klnische Rundschau an independant daily regional newspaper for Cologne and Bonn cities.

36

3.3.2 Schsische Zeitung

Schsische Zeitung newspaper was issued by the merge of Schsische Volksstimme
Newspaper with Volksstimme Newspaper. The roots of the newspaper date back to 1890 as
Schsische Arbeiterzeitung, the newspaper was popular under that name in that period of
time. Later on, the newspaper appeared under the name Dresdener Volkszeitung. On 13.
April 1946, the newspaper was issued officially under the name Schsische Zeitung in the
Free State of Saxony.186 Under the umbrella of GDR, SZ2 served as good source of
information for the local people and a good mouth piece for the state. Every press
conference that was held in the city of Dresden was directly published by the newspaper.
In early 1990, the newspaper was marked as a socialist newspaper. In 1991, the newspaper
was privatized as result of the change of the political system in Germany. The geneal
format of the newspaper was changed into a new outlet that fits with the needs of regional
market. The coverage of Schsische Zeitung includes news, politics, reports and regional
news concern the local people. According to the chief editor of Schsische Zeitung Uwe
Vetterick187, the target area of the newspaper is just the Free State of Saxony. Our target
group are all people who are living in the east of Saxon and enjoy reading newspapers,
Why all? Because we are a general interest newspaper.188 Schsische Zeitung is regarded
as one of the most important newspaper in Saxony because it has the highest circulation in
its region, the newspapr succeeded in 2014 to reach approximately 300.000 subscribers.189
Above all, Schsische Zeitung is seen as one of the most reputed newspaper in Dresden.190

4 Media in theory
Media mainstream is a way for all types of information; news seekers are searching in all
media channels for information. Yet, information is contradicting and somehow not
trustworthy. The object of all media channel is to reach the reader, listener, and viewer in
order to shape his/her views and opinions. The twenty-first century media channels print,
radio, television, and the interenet have been associated together under the concept mass
186See Keine Rckmeldung (4. January 2015). Message to the author.E-mail. Dokumentation/Archiv,
Schsische Zeitung, Ostra-Allee, 20, 01067 Dresden.
187Uwe Vetterick is a German journalist and has been assigned as the chief editor of Schsische Zeitung
since 2007.
188See Ibid,. Keine Rckmeldung (4. January 2015).
189See Mediadaten (May 2015). Schsische Zeitung-online. http://www.sz-online.de/anzeigen/mediadaten,
retrieved on: 8. July 2015.
190See DD V Mediengruppe. Schsische Zeitung.
http://www.ddvmediengruppe.de/produkte_dienstleistungen/produkte/tageszeitungen/saechsische_zeitung,
retrieved on: 8. July 2015.

37

media. The study of mass media developed into media theories. These theories differ
depending on the model that the theory applies too. In their classical use, media theories
are committed to monitoring and explaining the mechanism of the press, and its effect, and
threats on the media message receiver. The study of media theory suggests that only the
content of media is the concern of this field, whereas; alternative media models are
targeted by media theories: people, public opinion, propaganda, agenda setting, and
misinformation.191 In the communication branch, mass media is a very important channel
for reaching people. Thus, mass media manages communication by providing the best
communication means for reaching the target group of the media campaign. Media
Theories are essential, media designer must apply for transferring the message. Certainly a
communication theory involves analyzing: sender, encoder, message, channel, decoder,
and receiver.192 Such theories and models of communication indicate that communication
is about who says what to whom, through what channel and with what effect.. A theory can
be defined as: A system of constructs and variables in which the constructs are connected
to each other by propositions, and the variables are linked to one another by hypotheses.193
It can be further interpreted as an observation of how something works. This gives a clear
understanding of what interest people and what they try to understand. There are several
reasons for the use of theory in media. Theories can be formed to examine the power and
balance of the press in coverage, social effect of media, development of news, integration
of new topics in daily coverage, but a theory aims to understand and to analyze the press
and to explain the way people interact with the media message. Arthur Schopenhauer194
states that truth goes through three phases: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently
opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.195
The role of media relies on making it accepted as fact in order to become as fixed fact in
191See Bennet, Tony (1982). Theories of the Media, Theories of Society. Michael Gurevitch (ed.). In
Culture, Society and the Media. Massachusetts Institute of Technology London: Methuen, pp. 31-40.
http://web.mit.edu/21l.432/www/readings/Bennett_TheoriesOfMediaAndSociety.pdf, retrieved on: 15.
April 2015.
192According to mother of all models of communication by ShannonWeaver model of communication.
193See Wacker, John (n.d). A Definition of Theory: Research Guidelines for Different Theory-building
Research Methods in Operations Management. In: Journal of Operations Management
16.4,ScienceDirect. Elsevier B.V, pp. 361-85.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272696398000199, retrieved on: 15. April 2015.
194Arthur Schopenhauer is a German philosopher best known for his book, The World as Will and
Representation, in which he claimed that our world is driven by a continually dissatisfied will,
continually seeking satisfaction.
195 See Mulgan, Geoff. The Process of Social Innovation.
http://www.socialinnovationexchange.org/sites/default/files/event/attachments/INNOV0102_p145162_m
ulgan.pdf, retrieved on: 15. April 2015.

38

the mind of the targeted group, and to develope into a chosen direction as media message
seekers substantially depend on the content of the articles. In other words, media serves to
make up the views of people in general and people with heuristic approach 196 in particular.
The stereotype of the heuristic approach makes people stick to the pseudo-knowledge,
which media confirms, and turns people, therefore; into believers in the given information.
All this said, a theory in media is not sufficient. The media message receiver should have a
critical mind, based on the previous argument, he/she has to keep a critical and analytical
view in dealing with the received media message.197 In the case of this research, the
analysis of media coverage regarding the Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, is realized on
important national and regional newspapers, that represnt a significant rate of the German
public opinion.

4.1 Gate keeping and agenda setting

Millions of events occur in the world each day, but only few of them become news and
reach the public. The mechanism behind news filtering and selecting is known as
Gatekeeping theory. The main premise of gatekeeping theory is that the messages are
constructed from information about events that has occurred through a series of gates and
has been changed out in the process. Some information reaches people on a front page of a
newspaper, some in the middle of the newspaper as a small column, and some never makes
it into the news at all. Yet, some news appear in some media while not in other; or
information may be given the most important position in one medium but buried into
another.198
The decision maker decides what information to let through and in which way it should be
passed. Abound decisions are made between the events and its transmission process to the
target. The events are filtered before they turn into news, this filter process is referred to as
the gate, the decision maker is known as the gatekeeper. Individual differences in the
functioning of these processes should be minimal if they are species-specific processes.
Age, culture, intelligence, educational attainment, and other factors that strongly influence
196Heuristic is an approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical methodology
not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but sufficient for the immediate goals. Where finding an optimal
solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a
satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision.
197See Cherry, Kendra (n.d). Availability Heuristic. About Education.
http://psychology.about.com/od/aindex/g/availability-heuristic.htm, retrieved on: 8. July 2015.
198See Shoemaker, Pamela J., and Tim P. Vos. (2009). The Gatekeeping Process. Gatekeeping Theory. New
York: Routledge, p. 22.

39

consciously controlled processes ought to be unimportant for innate automatic

processes.199 It is possible for any person who has information to be a gatekeeper and to
decide whether to pass the information to the others or not. In processing and assigning
information to someone else, journalists consciously or unconsciously change its context.
The personality of the journalists influences the production of news content. Journalists are
more likely to have extroverted characters, which helps more often to relate with the
dissemination function of the media; introvert journalists in another hand, take a more
reflective and analytic perspective. The small number of introverts accounts for the small
of reflective or contextual news.200
Journalists in the mass media have influence on the audience. But that does not deny the
fact that journalists do perceive the world differently than others. Therefore, they make
many different decisions about accepting or rejecting information items. Within this
process the media takes control of the information by using gatekeeping and agenda
setting in order to control access to information, entertainment, and news. After
gatekeeping mechanism comes agenda setting. Agenda Setting Theory takes its origin
from Walter201 Lipperman's book Public Opinion (published in 1922). Lippmann observed
the function between the outside and inside worlds. He came up with the opposition
between the outside world and a trustworthy picture inside our heads.202
The agenda setting is applied to remodel events happening in local environment into a
simpler model before it is dealt with. Researcher Marcus Maurer203 pointed out that
agenda-setting has ability to increase or diminish the importance of the event; some topics
create more resonance than others because the social, demographic, and motivational
predispositions play role in the whole procedure.204
The core theoretical idea of agenda-setting is based on the dichotomous opposition of the
media agenda and the public agenda, and the capacity of the first to influence the second.
Agenda Setting is divided into three levels: The relation between the two sets-the media

199Kellogg, Roland T (2003). Fundementals of Cognition. COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. 2 ed. Thousand

Oaks: Sage Publications, p. 106.
200See Shoemaker (2209), p. 42.
201Walter Lippmann was an American writer, reporter, and political commentator.
202See Lippmann, Walter (1997). The World Outside and the Picture in Our Heads. Public Opinion. New
York: Free Paperbacks, p. 18.
203Marcus Maurer is a Professor of Communication Studies with a focus on political communication at the
Institute of Journalism in Mainz.
204See Maurer, Marcus (2010). Agenda-Setting. 1. Aufl. ed. Baden-Baden: Nomos, p. 74.

40

agenda and the public agenda-follows the logic of stimulus response.205 Throughout this
division the relationship between the media agenda and the public was marked for the
purpose of evaluating the media issues and decide whether these issues are of great
importance. Agenda setting assigns an important role as it decides what parts of the issues
are important in regards to the news and the public. Other factors that play role in agenda
setting are the external influences, plus the combination of managers, editors, and
gatekeepers. These external influences might be from sources not related to media;
government officials and influential individuals. These players shape the agenda setting
process depending on what power each player may have.206

4.1.1 Priming and framing

The main attention in the agenda-setting theory is focused on the concept of priming and
framing. The concept of priming attributes to enhancing the effects of the media by
focusing on the correlations between media coverage and individual character traits of
politicians concerning the ability to evoke sympathy, trustworthiness or honesty. Instead of
paying attention fully to specific issues, public figures often focus on accentuating images.
Media message recipients, in turn, try to interpret extrapolately the media created pictures
on the action agenda of the statesmen by using personalized pictures.207
Media serves to bring the audience standards and reference. Agenda-setting is directed to
the importance of a topic, while; priming directly associates with the information, which
was previously gained by media message receivers. The effect depends here on the
concept of Memory-Based Models of Information Processing.208 This concept refers to the
idea of already given mental frameworks, which are made more receptive under the
influence of certain stimuli. This mechanism enhances the reception, interpretation, and
assessment of the new received information and dictates a specific views; the tool of
205See Huck, Inga (2009). Wahrnehmungen Und Wahrnehmungsphanomene Im Agenda-Setting-Prozess.
Baden-Baden: Nomos, Ed. Fischer, p. 16.
206See Littlejohn, Stephen W., and Karen A. Foss (2011). The Media. In: Theories of Human
Communication. 10th ed. Long Grove, Ill: Waveland, p. 343.
207See Mendelsohn, Matthew (1996). The Media and Interpersonal Communications: The Priming of
Issues, Leaders, and Party Identification.In: The Journal of Politics 58.1: pp. 112-25.
208See Scheufele, Dietram A., and David Tewksbury (2007). Framing, Agenda Setting, and Priming: The
Evolution of Three Media Effects Models. In: Journal of Communication 57.021-9916: p, 11.
https://www.google.de/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http://www.researchgate.net/profil
e/Dietram_Scheufele/publication/224818478_Framing_agenda_setting_and_priming_The_evolution_of_
three_media_effects_models/links/0fcfd510e9ad484efc000000.pdf&ei=LnE3VdGRJYLmywPWn4GwC
Q&usg=AFQjCNERJTg_L0Vxom2uHsXw1xv0jPJg_w, retrieved on: 22 April 2015.

41

priming is often used to form political judgments and to evaluate the performances of key
political powers.209 In contrast to psychological effects of priming, political
communication scientists, have employed priming in nearly different areas popularizing
the priming effects as news media effects on political decision making related directly to
the process of political decision. They aimed from that to evaluate general performance
based on the anticipated pattern.210 By adopting this mechanism, they tend to take into
consideration the aspects which correspond to their prior experience of the issue. Thus, the
message receivers narrow the excessive information framework. Priming is the process in
which the media attend to some issues and not others and thereby alter the standards by
which people evaluate election candidates.211
Priming cannot be disassociated from framing, as both concepts interact with each others
on a certain basis. The concept of framing is a broader context; it deals with media's
attention on certain issues and tries to find deep meaning to certain topics. The concept of
framing is related to the process of organizing reality.212 The term framing has to do with
terms of photography, a frame is a lens which through it certain events are viewed and
perceived. Just as dispersion of the lens causes aberration, so does framing theory suggest,
to some extent, which influences the choices people make about processing the received
facts. Every frame is an abstraction that works to organize or structure message.
Nevertheless, it is a necessary per-requisite for having a mental guideline. The concept of
framing is relevant for a variety of disciplines, ranging from news making, psychology and
sociology to linguistics and politics.213 In relationship to media frame is defined: To frame
is to select some aspects of a perceived reality and to make them more salient in a
communicating text, in such a way as to promote a particular problem definition, casual
interpretation, moral evaluation, and/or treatment recommendation for the item. 214 By
doing so, the scientist alluded to its generalizing capacity and the concept of building
209See Maurer (2010), p. 74.
210See Iyengar, Shanto, Mark D. Peters, and Donald R. Kinder (1982). Experimental Demonstrations of the
Not-So-Minimal Consequences of Television News Programs. In: The American Political Science Review
76.4, pp. 848-58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1962976?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents, retrieved on: 22.
April 2015.
211Lee, Jenghoon (2006). Computer-mediated Communication as Political Communication:Investigating
the Agenda Setting Function. Diss. The Florida State U-College of Communication. The Florida State
University. http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2904&context=etd, retrieved on: 22.
April 2015.
212See Kitzinger, Jenny (2007). Framing and Frame Analysis. In: Devereux, Eoin (ed.): Media Studies: Key
Issues and Debates. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, p. 134.
213See Ibid., p.135
214Entman, Robert M (7. February 2006). Framing: toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm. In:
Journal of Communication 43.4 (1993). pp, 51-58,52.Wiley Online Library.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x/pdf, retrieved on: 22. April 2015.

42

opinions. In this case is the concept Synergy Effect 215 happens when a certain framework
outbalances the sum of its parts. Framing always depends on interrelation of several
components. Its key driving forces are clusters and patterns. 216 These frameworks and the
frames created in daily communication depending greatly on how information is
perceived, processed, and communicated. People are capable consumers of frameworks
whether they know it or not.

4.1.2 Newsworthy and interest group

The criteria journalists and editors use to judge an event or a story are called news values,
or Newsworthiness this term is refereed to just as news criteria or news factors. The
precedent terms are affected by twelve selection criteria: proximity, timeliness, exceptional
quality, prominence, possible future impact, the number of people involved or affected,
consequence, human interest, pathos, conflict, shock value, and titillation component.217
These factors are applied by gatekeepers for decision making about the weight of news.
Galtung218 and Ruge219 brought to attention several controversial ideas concerning the list
of news values. This list was reviewed, revisited and criticized by many experts. The key
factor has no position in Galtungs list, as he mentions the impact of ideology and its role
in overall news selection process.220
News values determine how prominent a story is, and to what extent the media covers it.
Furthermore, it deals with how the audience receives the media message, and how they
interact with it.
News journalism has a broadly agreed set of values, often referred to as
'newsworthiness'. The news journalist makes his or her selection from a range of
conventionally accepted source of information, sources that are in effect the
providers of the 'news agenda' and whose regular production of information is
215Synergy Effect is the creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts.
216See Kitzinger (2007), p.154.
217See Nicholson, Matthew (2007).Working the Beat: Sport Media Production. In: Sport and the Media:
Managing the Nexus. Oxford: Elsevier, p. 109.
218Johan Galtung is a Norwegian sociologist, mathematician and the principal founder of the discipline of
peace and conflict studies.
219Mari Holmboe Ruge was one of the founding pioneers at Peace Research Institue Oslo. In late 1967, she
left the institute to finalize her studies in political science at the University of Oslo.
220See Kheirabadi, Reza, and Ferdows Aghagolzadeh (1. May 2012). A Discoursive Review of Galtung and
Ruge's News Factors in Iranian Newspapers. In: Theoryand Practice in Language Studies. Academy
Publisher. http://ojs.academypublisher.com/index.php/tpls/article/view/tpls0205989994, retrieved on: 22.
April 2015.

43

diarized; selection from them is made according to these and other criteria of
newsworthiness.221
News values are not international and vary between different communities. In democratic
countires, decisions on the prioritization of news, and selection are taken by editors due to
professional experience and intuition. J. Galtung and M. Ruge cleared that several factors
are applied by a range of news wires. They argue that the more an event accessed the most
likely it will be aired. Three basic hypotheses are presented by them. The additive
hypothesis clears that the more factors an event satisfies, the possibility is high that the
event will become newsworthy; the complementarity hypothesis states that factors will
tend to exclude each others. The exclusion hypothesis clears that events which do not
satisfy none or very few factors will not turn to be news. External and internal pressures
affect journalists decision making regarding stories, how issues are perceived, and the
amount of emphasis given. This amount of pressure can lead sometimes to bias in
reporting.222
In daily coverage, some events gain more attention than others depending on the
significance of the events to the audience; while, others do not get mentioned at all due to
lack of interest group. Understanding the appearance of certain events in news require a
step wise approach toward the role of influential factors related to the target group and the
different areas where media seeks influence. Great range interest groups do exist223, but
three types of interest groups are relevant to news selection process Gate Keeping groups
use the media to get information out about certain interested programs. They try to
persuade gate keepers to include message about their groups and ensure that the messages
are favorable. They assign public relations as tool to reach the target audience for
influencing media gatekeepers, and they can be very successful. Their topics get
significant coverage. The second type of interest group exists for the express purpose of
changing media content. These groups criticize the media and try to affect news selection
process. They exert a double influence on content. Not only their criticism get on the news
agenda by replacing messages that would otherwise have been selected by gate keepers,
but also they may cause revisions of media practice and policy. Their main goal is to
221 Journalism. 21st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook.William F. Eadie (Ed.) (2009). Vol.
2. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, p. 610.
222See Owen Spencer-Thomas ( 31. March 2005). News Values. http://www.owenspencerthomas.com/journalism/newsvalues, retrieved on: 23. April 2015.
223See Singh, Robert (2013). Pluralism and Its Critique. Governing America: The Politics of a Divided
Democracy. Oxford: Oxford UP, p. 232.

44

increase the cost of media practice the group deems offensive or problematic by forcing
the gatekeeper to deal with it. The third type of interest groups use the media to promote a
position and occasionally tries to influence the gatekeeping mechanism by providing
guidelines for covering certain topics of interest to the group.224
Interest groups may direct the attention of editorial boards toward certain arena and
resources, but in the end it is the decision of the press. If journalists or editors do not find a
story newsworthy, than the effort of the interest groups are blown, but that does not deny
the fact that interest groups of high importance.

4.1.3 Honesty and independence of media

Throughout all media forms, the truth is sought and has the highest virtue. Truth seekers
spend hours searching in all media platforms for it. It is expected that media is honest and
telling the truth, even if the truth hurts potentially. Journalists are viewed as the
champions of the truth. Therefore, honesty is a journalistic fundamental ethic, although; it
demands a high cost that journalists have to pay in seeking the truth.
One of the most important values in the media ethic is honesty whether the concern is
news reporting, blogging, advertising, public relations, photography or videography,
documentry filmmaking, or non-fictional memoir publishing. Media codes of ethics call
for Truth Telling.225
There is bigotry in the press coverage news; this is an ongoing problem, however, some
media assumes that it is not a big problem. The bias in media argues that there is no
complete truth or no journalist is completely objective. Yet, truth is absolute; it is based on
the reality. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, as it depends on hard facts which
emerge from the events on the ground. Truth Mirrors reality.226 Honesty is a key issue
when it comes to the news, the public has the right to know the truth. Hence, lying is
unacceptable in journalism. The role of independent media is based on providing true
neutral information to truth seekers.
The freedom of journalists to report the truth has largely been taken as a core stone for
democratic societies. New challenges and difficulties are raising new questions about how
independent the press in todays increasingly complex information, political and
224See Shoemaker (2009), p. 91.
225Roberts, Chris (2011). Truth and Deception. In: Doing Ethics in Media. Madison: Routledge, p. 200.
226Ibid., p. 206.

45

technological environments. Such questions have driven tensions between press freedoms,
personal privacy, and the role of the government in balancing competing rights. Media
independence varies from country to country depending on the political landscape and the
type of pressure affecting the media in countries.227 Government regulates media in some
parts of the world, whereas some media operators set self-regulations as internal police for
their daily editorial work. The self-regulatory system domains stronger than others when it
is applied as enforcing codes of ethics. The self-regulatory system promotes high selfcensorship that limits the freedom of journalism in general, and journalists in particular.228
The Independence of the media can be understood in terms of diversity in media content
and policy. It is easy to see these hybrid arrangements as irrevocable compromises in the
pursuit of media independence. These arrangements should be understood to help
independent media to balance the financial and regulatory pressures effectively with the
individual and creative freedom. Perhaps, then more than anything else media
independence should be understood in the utopian terms as originally proposed by
Thomas, More.229 'a good, but non-existent and therefore impossible society.'230 Media has
to put series of strong recommendations and best policies that seek to foster media honesty
and independence. These include policies to diversify media content, ensure freedom of
expression and the right to information, support the professionalism and autonomy of
journalists, and explore media literacy initiative.

4.2 Media ethical responsibility

Journalism is concerned with ensuring accurate information that allows media to form
decent impression about social processes and situations in the world. But that does not
deny journalists from having social responsibilities before the people, the law, and the
occupation. The ethical responsibility of journalism requires that a journalist acts in
accordance with ethical standards. The ethics of the profession involves permanent
227See Schmidt, Mogens (2007). Expanding Press Freedom. James, Barry (Ed.). World Press Freedom
Committee.World Association Of Newspapers. New Media: The Press Freedom Dimension, pp. 6-9.
Paris: UNESCO. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001520/152017e.pd, retrieved on: 6. May 2015.
228See Zlatev, Ognian (2011). Media Accountability Systems (MAS) and Their Applications in South East
Europe and Turkey. In: Professional Journalism and Self-Regulation. Paris: UNESCO, pp. 16-19.
http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/media_standards/Professional+Jour
nalism+and+Self-Regulation.pdf, retrieved on: 7. May 2015.
229Thomas More was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance
humanist. He was also a councillor to Henry VIII and Lord Chancellor.
230The Utopia of Independent Media (2015): Media Independence In: Working with Freedom or Working
for Free? James Bennett and Niki Strange (Ed.). New York: Routledge, p, 9.

46

responsibility of journalists for everything they do in the framework of their professional

obligations, rather than adhering to the rules that adopted once and for all. The ethical and
professional behaviour involves searching, keeping, receiving, distributing and
commenting on information. Ethics in journalism are raped up in code, the code does not
have obligations, yet it formulates moral guidelines or standards against power abuse by
media employees. These standards are listed in the ethical code. The ethical code cannot
be used as an act against media criminally and disciplinarily. Nonetheless, it is just an act
of responsibility in the framework of media self-regulation. To any person who asks what
is media ethics?, many answers are possible, but not all of them are correct or wrong. This
question can be answered on the heartbeat of ethics as it raises the issue of good and bad
when journalists debate over rights and obligations. Psychologically speaking, media
ethics is viewed as. A set of norms and capacities learned though family life, schools, and
social customs. One's ethical perspective consists largely of learned responses shaped by
enculturation and ethical 'climate' of society.231 This definition gives media ethic a
framework, but it builds a look at media ethics from psychological perspective. Moreover,
some defintions bear the public significant ethical responsibilities. Sociologically, ethical
norms have social origins. My ethical values and capacities are natured and exercised
within groups. The subject matter of ethics is the values of social groups. Also, ethics
requires that I adopt a social perspective that looks to the common and transcends selfish
individualism.232
The success of media ethics depends on the application of a dual mechanism made of
theory and practice, the journalist should not ignore one or the other. Global media ethics
do emerge neither from the theory alone, even if the theory is brilliant philosophical work
nor solely from global emergent problems encountered by journalists. Global media ethics
will not emerge from workshops and discussions among journalists too. Discussions
among practitioners about global norms need to be stimulated and grounded in the best
available theories of global media ethics. As conclusion: without the support of theory,
well-meant declarations of global principles by practitioners will be inadequately grounded
in philosophy and ethical theory.233

231Ward, Stephen J. A (2010). The Ethical Sphere. In: Global Journalism Ethics. Montreal & Kingston:
McGill-Queen's UP, p. 14.
232 Ibid., pp.14-18.
233See Global Media Ethics (2013). Justice and Indian Journalism. Problems and Perspectives. Stephen J.
A. Ward (Ed.). Chichester: Blackwell, p. 44.

47

4.2.1 Impartiality and fairness in media

Impartial media means not being prejudiced toward or against any particular groups in its
press coverage. Journalists are normal people with different opinions, social backgrounds,
and experience. Though, media coverage must be freed from any partiality for achieving
daily comprehensive coverage. To ensure that, journalists must rise above any personal
perspectives and free themselves from any personal experience or perspectives that can
affect the diversity of opinion and the accuracy of media coverage for reporting on reality.
There is no fundamentally non-ideological, a political, non-partisan news gathering and
reporting system.234 According to George Gerbner235. News coverage is all

about

delivering information that have been proven correct. Impartiality is essential for the
quality of the news coverage. It's not about good and bad news. As good and bad are
relative truth. It's about stripping out of the personal judgment for allowing the truth
seekers to draw their own opinion, free from any pressure inserted by the journalist.
Newspapers have a code of professional ethics applied into editorial policy. Presenting
information on daily basis that is truthful, complete, interesting, current and of high quality
in order to help readers understand reality and form their own opinion.236
Due to the increase number of unlimited sources, people have become increasingly
concerned with unfair and fair reporting by the mainstream media. The purpose of the
ethical code of Media is not to censor or condemn journalists, but to encourage them to
adhere to the professional standards of reporting and providing balanced news. The
concept for fairness evolved due to frequent cases that did rise in the political coverage.
Not all interested parties must be granted the right to speak on the air; but that does not
mean the journalist has the right to prevent particular viewpoints from being aired even if
the journalist does not like or agree with the topic. Here we talk about blocking
information simply by avoiding coverage on such unflavoured topics. The political
editorial rules require that the broadcaster let its listeners hear other candidates with
conflicting views. Thus, the political editorial obligation directly further the fairness
doctrine goal of preventing powerful broadcasters from unfairly using their influence.237
234 Nicholas, Joe, and John Price (1998). NEWS:PRESENTATION AND EFFECTS. Advanced Studies in
Media. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson, p. 104.
235George Gerbner was a professor of communication and the founder of cultivation theory. Born,
Budapest, he emigrated to the United States in late 1939.
236Lamrani, Salim, and Larry R Oberg (2014). The Ideology Shift of El Pasis. Cuba, the Media, and the
Challenge of Impartiality. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging. In: Publication Data, p. 11.
237Simmons, Steven J (1978). The FFC's Personal Attack and Political Editorial Rules Reconsidered. The
Fairness Doctrine and the Media. Berkeley: U of California, p. 90.

48

4.2.2 Respect for human dignity in media

The journalistic profession has long subscribed to ethical statements developed primarily
for the benefit of the dignity of the people. Journalists must recognize responsibility to
readers at first and at foremost, as well as to interviewees. The principles of human dignity
adopted by the journalists are not laws, but standards of conduct define the essentials of
honorable behavior for the media. Journalists shall be dedicated to the ethical norms of
human dignity. These norms may be identified in several cultural, religious, and
philosophical frameworks around the world, but they should be interpreted within local
context in order to bring norms guidance for journalistic acts.238
The debate about human dignity is still open. It raises the following question: Is human
dignity for press freedom? Or is press freedom for human dignity?
If the media professes to be guided by the principles of freedom and human dignity,
it should be held accountable to those principles. A normative counter-perspective is
a need that would foreground the failure of global modernity to bring about freedom
and human dignity on an equal basis, and appeal to the media's moral responsibility
to contribute to process where these values could be reached.239
Critics fear that the increase in prosecutions of human dignity could lead to the limitation
of media freedom. Traditionally, the concept of human dignity has been used by many
editorial boards and government as an excuse to erratic attempts to censor the press.

4.2.3 Effect of media on the society

The influence of media on society is growing and becoming stronger and stronger. Thanks
to the competition among media producers, as competitors wish to catch attentions of
people through newspapers, magazines, movies, shows, and commercials. The speed at
which news moves around the world has turned faster with the advancement of internet
technology. Journalists certainly can influence people in many ways, but the question
remains: What effects does the media have on society?
Media shapes the values of people and defines what is good and what is bad, what is pretty
and what is ugly. Though, media itself influences highly not only young media message
238See Stephen J. A. Ward and Herman Wasserman (eds.) (2010). Human Dignity between the Global and
the Local. In: Media Ethics beyond Borders: A Global Perspective. New York: Routledge, p.79.
239Ibid., p. 77.

49

receivers children, teens, and youngsters, but also adults with sound education likewise.
The degree of influence depends on the availability and pervasiveness of media. All of
the traditional mass media still have great influence over our lives.240
Reading news and stories in newspapers takes readers away into different spheres. There
are parts where readers feel that they are the ones in the story, consistently; they feel what
the protagonist of the story has experienced. Readers here are caught in the emotional
excitement. The effect of media does not stop here with the story. The effect of the
reported news and narrated stories could lead to behavioral changes toward certain topics
as media has cognitive effect on the message receiver and often behavioral responses.
Cognitive effects are those that concern the acquisition of information-what people
learn, how beliefs are structured (or restructured) in the mind, how needs for
information are satisfied or not. These effects include concerns about what is learned
as well as how much is learned.241
There are some newspapers and books that attempt to create atmospheres for changing
opinions regarding some issues. In case of reporting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers,
some media brings the sufferings of refugees under focus and raises sympathy toward
them; or ignores the refugees and keeps silent on their situations. Media can also provokes
criticism with purpose of misshaping the reality. The effect of media can be for the better,
or sometimes for the worse. These can lead to misunderstanding, oppositional
misbehavior, and judgemental opinions, which can create a vicious cycle among
individuals against other people, or communities.

4.3 Random sampling and findings

Given the large number of listed articles about Syrian war and Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in the ME and the limited amount of articles about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
in Germany in particular commitments an empirical approach to the research. The number
of articles is huge, but not all articles could be considered for further analysis while they
are not related directly to the focus of the research. The data on Syrian refugees/asylum
240Curtis, Anthony (1. January 2012). Mass Media Influence on Society. University of North Carolina at
Pembroke. Mass Communication Dept.
http://www2.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/Media&Society/MassMediaInfluence
OnSociety.html, retrieved on: 19. April 2015.
241Perse, Elizabeth M (2001). Introduction. Media Effects and Society. Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum
Associates, p. 3.

50

seekers in Germany were used to determine the final sample of the study. All articles were
categorized in two different groups depending on the type of the newspapers national
newspaper or regional newspaper; both the significance and the interest of the articles
have been classified according to the importance into levels: high, middle, low, or no
interest. The articles from national newspapers are divided in (17) articles from FAZ and
(22) articles from SZ1. The articles from regional newspapers are divided into (49) articles
from KSTA and (17) articles from SZ2. For the distribution of the selected articles into
four different groups, a sampling procedure that takes this imbalance into consideration
has been chosen. Hence, each of the four groups was assigned a different selection quota
ensuring a representative, as well as feasible scope of the sample. All concerned articles
with a high importance were selected, whereas, only (13) articles of low or no interest to
the selection criteria were not chosen.
The following diagram shows the numbers of articles due to the level of importance
in regard to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany.
35

33

32

31,43

30

27

30,47

25,71

25
20
15

13

12,39

10
5
0
High Importance

Middle Importance

Articles in Numbers

Low Importance

No Importance

Articles in Percentage

Articles of high importance are related directly to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in

Germany, whereas; articles of middle importance deal with the issues of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in context of stories dedicated to refugees in Germany. Articles of
low importance are assigned to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany, but they
shed light on the German initiative and effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Articles of no importance are articles where the word of Syrian refugee/asylum seeker is
mentioned in context of small local stories, and which focus on issues not directly related
to refugees or asylum seekers.
51

As a result of the sampling procedure, a small sample of articles are used for an early
preview for the full analysis of all selected articles. While analyzing the selected articles a
mechanism of content analysis for decoding the randomly chosen articles was applied. The
decoding process of the articles during the random sample procedures included: (12)
articles from the total articles (105), (3) articles from each single newspaper fell under
deep consideration of the applied codebook. The findings are presented in descriptive way
depending on the exposure and decoding of the selected article. In this random sampling a
sample size of (3) articles is believed to be effective and efficient for an analysis of the
four models. As delineated in FAZ, one of the articles during the third quarter of 2012
during the Syrian war focused on the issue of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in
neighboring countries of Syria and in the EU and the debate in this regard. Angesichts
eines stetig zunehmenden Flchtlingsstroms aus Syrien haben sich Auen Politiker aller
Bundestagsfraktionen fr die Aufnahme syrischer Flchtlinge ausgesprochen. 242 The
article reported on the debate between German politicians concerning Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and the German official plan for hosting some of them. The
voices that call for more humanitarian support for the refugees were brought along the
article too. In Syrien gibt es eine humanitre Katastrophe. Deutschland sollte Flchtlinge
aufnehmen.243 As shown in an other article in FAZ, but in different period in the fourth
quarter of 2013, FAZ reported on the arrival of the Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in
Germany via the official German initiative.Sie erhalten eine auf zwei Jahre befristete
Aufenthaltsgenehmigung, drfen in Deutschland arbeiten, erhalten Sozialleistungen. 244 In
further paragraph in the same article, the newspaper criticized the attitude of the German
church in a satiric tone.
Am Rande ihres Weges steht ein Mann. Groe Brille, hellblaues Hemd, Krawatte.
Vor ihm ein Klapptisch voller Bcher. Die Bibel. Auf Deutsch, Russisch und
Arabisch. 'Jesus gibt Leben, unvergngliches Leben. Das wnsche ich Ihnen', sagt
der Mann. Er will der Familie eine Bibel schenken. Sie lehnt hflich ab.
Deutschland, mssen die syrischen Flchtlinge wohl denken, ist ein sehr religises
Land.245
In the fourth quarter of 2014, FAZ oriented to the problem of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in general, yet it discusses the amount of sympathy the German government gives
242Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (25. August 2012): Debatte ber Syrische Flchtlinge, p. 5.
243Ibid.
244Staib, Julian (1. October 2013): Die Ersten Schritte. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), p.4.
245Ibid.

52

to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The article emphasizes the moral responsibility of

Germany.
Die Sprecherin des Auswrtigen Amtes hatte am Montag die Bedeutung der
Veranstaltung

so beschrieben:

'Es

handelt

sich konkret

nicht

um eine

Geberkonferenzen; es gibt zahlreiche Geberkonferenz. Natrlich wird Deutschland

seiner Verantwortung gerecht werden und Worten auch Taten folgen lassen.'246
In comparison to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Sddeutsche Zeitung tackled the issue
of Syrian refugees earlier. In the fourth quarter of 2011, SZ1 reported on the suffering of
Syrian people in Syria due to the harsh political situations there.
Ali kann ruhig darber reden, nun, da er im Park einer deutschen Grostadt sitztweit weg vom syrischen Geheimdienst, weit weg vom syrischen Geheimdienst, weit
weg von den Folterknsten. Ali zhlt zu den Hunderten Syrern, die jetzt jeden Monat
nach Deutschland kommen, auf der Flucht vor einem der gnadenlosesten Diktatoren
unserer Zeit, vor Bashar al-Assad und seinen Helfern.247
In the third quarter of 2012, Sddeutsche Zeitung called on the German government to
show more support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Aber natrlich sollte man auch
Flchtlingen in Europa Schutz und Lebenschancen ermglichen. 248 In one of the article in
the third quarter of 2014, SZ1 called for more hospitality for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers not only in Germany, but also in Europe as the newspaper called on European
countires to take Germany as an example for supporting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Das ist noch Luft nach oben Mglich, und die sollten wir nutzen, um auch Vorbild fr
andere Lnder Europas zu sein.249
In comparison to the national newspapers, regional newspapers coverage is broader than
national newspapers. The regional coverage is concerned with the daily issues and, or
problems of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and with the German effort in this direction.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, Klner Stadt-Anzeiger reported on the effort of the regional
authorities of NRW in facilitating the procedures for new arriving Syrian refugees/asylum

246Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (29. October 2014): Wir Lassen Die Flchtlinge Aus Syrien Nicht
Allein, p. 5.
247Ibid., Weit Weg Vom Folterknast.
248Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) (22. August 2012): Grne Fordern Aufnahme Von Syrischen Flchtlingen, p.
1.
249Bielicki, Jan (21. June 2014): Mehr Gastlichkeit Fr Syrer. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.

53

seekers. Syrische Flchtlinge knnten im kommenden Jahr einfacher in Deutschland

aufgenommen werden.250
In the fourth quarter of 2013, KSTA focused on Syrian refugees in Aachen city. Klner
Stadt-Anzeiger compared between the life of a family in Syria and the new life they are
living in Germany. Sie wei aus Telefonaten und Mails, was die Verwandten in Syrien
durchgemacht haben. Die Mails klangen immer verzweifelter: Das leben hier ist die Hlle,
bitte holt uns raus! Heiligabend in Dsseldorf endet die Odyssee fr drei Frauen und neuen
Kinder.251
In the fourth quarter 2014, KSTA discussed the relationship between Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and German neighbors. Furthermore, the newspaper allocated the
generous German individuals who are willing to welcome and help Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers as examples for others. The articles showed further the positive
effect of the presence of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the low inhabited German
regions. The newspaper interviewed Germans asking them about their opinion concerning
the presence of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in their towns. Er sieht in der Aufnahme
von Flchtlingen einen doppelten Vorteil fr Dfer wie Oberveischede: 'Wir haben im
Sauerland generell ein Demograieproblem. Die jungen Leute ziehen weg, inzwischen
stehen viele Huser leer. Gleich Zeitig haben wir flchtlinge, die dringend eine Unterkunft
brauchen.'252 Similarly to Klner Stadr-Anzeiger, Schsische Zeitung's coverage tackles
the issues of Syrian refugees in the Free State of Saxony. In the third quarter of 2012,
Schsische Zeitung covered Syrian war and the arrival of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
in Germany as a Syrian family arrived with a fake Spanish Visa.Eine Flchtlingsfamilie
aus Syrien ist am Dresdner Flughafen mit falschen Visa gefasst worden.253
In the fourth quarter of 2013, SZ2 writes about the small number of Syrian refugees in the
Free State of Saxony and criticizes the local policy toward refugees in general and Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in particular. The newspaper interviewed an activist regarding
these numbers and brought her voice to the reader. Die Aufnahmequote fr Sachsen liegt
bei rund fnf Prozent. Bei mehr als sechs Millionen Menschen, die etwa vor dem
Brgerkrieg aus Syrien fliehen, finde ich die Anzahl von 765 neuen Zuweisungen sowieso
250 Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA) (16. November 2012): Regierung Will Einfacheres Asyl Fr Syrer, p. 6.
251Keller, Thorsten (27. December 2013): Von Aleppo Nach Achen. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p.
16.
252Pluwatsch, Petra (20. December 2014): Zuflucht Im Fachwerkhaus. In:Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p.
8.
253 Schsische Zeitung (SZ) (21. August 2012): Flchtlingsfamilie Aus Syrien Reist Mit Falschen Visa Ein,
p. 6.

54

beschmend.254 In the fourth quarter of 2014, Schsische Zeitung reported about the
social problems, which Syrian refugees/asylum seekers face in the region due to the
existing Xenophobia there. Die Gewalt gegen Auslnder in Dresden hat einen neuen
Tiefpunkt erreicht. Unbekannte Tter haben in Gorbitz einer syrischen Familie eine
Morddrohung in den Briefkasten geworfen.255
Generalizing the results to the total number of the whole random sampling articles need
appropriate attention due of the enormous variations in the timeline of the Syrian crisis and
the arrival of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. This simple sample focused on
each selected article singly without considering the preceding and proceeding articles from
the same selected model. The results of these articles cannot be fully applicable to the
whole selected articles (105) for the analysis. Although, the sample size of (12) articles is
not only effective, it is efficient for predicting in advance the newspapers content and
attitude toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany.

5 Study analysis of national newspapers

5.1 Content scrutiny
The analysis of national newspapers examined (39) articles from the original data for
exploring the ways that German national newspapers use to depict Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in Germany. The analysis hypothesizes that a pattern of familiar storylines would
emerge in both national newspapers due to the weight of news events. Yet, that does not
contradict the fact that particular narratives and coverages are more visible than others in
one of the two newspapers. The analysis audits different articles in divergent coverages
along the Syrian conflict in both newspapers. These selected articles materialized the
suffering of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and raised sympathy for them, There are good
amount of articles about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle East in general and
Germany in particular. Yet, this visibility in coverage differs along the analyzed years of
this research due to the news related to the Syrian war on the ground at first, and problems
created by Syrian refugees/asylum seekrs in Germany at second. Most articles in national
newspapers appeared between 2013 and 2014 as the situation deteriorated on the ground in
the Middle East, these findings have important implications about how national
newspapers developed news reporting about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
254Ibid., Das Ist Beschmend.
255Schsische Zeitung (SZ) (27. December 2014): Syrische Familie Erhlt Morddrohung, p. 15.

55

The analysis aims to detect biases in news coverage and reporting on Syrians
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany, to deconstruct the stereotypes and problematic
conventional beliefs that determine national newspapers strategies, and to reveal the
dominant narratives in national newspapers. The analysis coded all types of articles. The
core unit of analysis is the entire article. In presenting the results of content analysis of
FAZ and SZ1, this section presents certain topics that were presented frequently in the
actual coverage of the above mentioned newspapers. Key similarities and differences
among both newspapers in different articles were taken into consideration. The bylines of
the articles are important indicators of the importance of the articles and news origins. FAZ
and SZ1 enjoy a good porition of staff written articles and reports on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. Nevertheless, the newspapers have proportion
articles in form of small reports precisely in the first two years of the Syrian conflict.
The reports are in form of reporting on Syrian refugees in general and raising sympathy
and awareness for them in particular. Of the two analyzed national models, SZ1 relied
more on news generated reports than staff generated articles. Whereas, FAZ signalized a
lower level of interest in Syrian refugees/asylum seekers as it relied more on articles in
form of small news formats. The byline sources difference in the coverage between the
two newspapers based on statistics and figures; these figures are of great significance
about how German national newspapers deal with this topic.
Numbers of national articles according to bylines.

25

22
20

20

17

15
11

FAZ

10
6
5
0

2
0 0

0 0

Agency Source
No Source
Journalist/reporter
Staff/Agency
Whole Articles

56

SZ1

In FAZ (35,30) percent of the analyzed articles are submitted by journalists and reporters
in the byline. There is no article among FAZ's articles from agency source or written by
both staff and agency. The rest of the articles (64,70) percent in FAZ is listed without a
source; these articles are in form of small news format. In SZ1 a total of (90,90) percent of
articles is listed by journalists or reporters. Yet, The rest of the articles (9,10) percent is
listed without a source, and likewise in a small news format. In total, (66,66) percent of the
national coverage depended on staff generated articles, but the rest (33,34) percent of the
articles is without source in news format. The topics of the articles can be previewed as a
measure of what national newspapers tend to emphasize and what editors regard as
important or not relevant to news coverage regarding Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. This
analysis found out that is (66,66) percent of the selected articles are with primary topics,
and (33,34) appeared with non-primary topics. This research shows that both newspapers
do not differ significantly in reporting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Nonetheless, the
differences emerged more in the coverage of FAZ, as the newspaper focused more on the
German government and Germany. FAZ included a heavy array of articles based on
German government and its effort in supporting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Whereas,
SZ1 showed more interest in Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the humanitarian side of
their suffering. SZ1 is more positive in reporting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Sddeutsche Zeitung is more committed toward them in comparison to FAZ. But that does
not oppose the fact that national newspapers highlight both the negative and positive effort
of German policy in this regard, and call for more support for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. This tendency is visible in both models. Yet, SZ1 focused more on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and highlighted the hardship that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
experience eachday. On the other hand, FAZ focused more on news of the later in
international coverage as conflict news. FAZ's coverage was more in form of international
news coverage.

5.2 German government and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

Beyond measuring the amount of coverage allotted to the German government's effort
toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers by FAZ and SZ1; it must be confessed that the
German effort were treated and discussed unbiasedly. But the articles were more favorable
toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers even if the articles did not cite Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers directly, but they treated topics related to their situation
57

frequently. On topic covered in this regard, SZ1 is desirably to report on gusting Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. Sddeutsche Zeitung shed the light on German
supportive effort for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the ME, at the same time; SZ1
focused on offering Syrian refugees shelter in Germany, and incremented the debate
between German politicians due to an initiative supporting Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. The newspaper reported on all voices regarding this initiative. Auch der
Vorsitzende des Bundestagsausschusses fr Menschenrechte, Tom Koenig (Grne),
pldierte fr ein Nachdenken darber, ob syrische Flchtlinge nicht auch in Deutschland
aufgenommen werden sollten.256
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung highlighted the attempts of the German government in
dealing with Syrian refugees/asylum seeker neutrally. Additionally, FAZ shed more light
on the arguments in the German parliament about and against Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers.
Angesichts eines stetig zunehmenden Flchtlingsstroms aus Syrien haben sich
Auenpolitiker aller Bundestagsfraktionen fr die Aufnahme syrischer Flchtlinge
ausgesprochen. Der Unions-Fraktionsvorsitzende Volker Kauder kndigte an, er
wolle darber in den kommenden Tagen mit Bundesinnenminister Hans-Peter
Friedrich (CSU) und den Innenministern der Lnder sprechen.257
Germany agreed officially to host Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Many Syrians have
started to submit applications in the neighboring countries of Syria. Due to enormous
numbers of applications, German's jurisdiction boards were under pressure particularly in
the German embassies in the Middle East. In one article, FAZ reported about the pressure
on the German embassy in Beirut and how the embassy does not respond quickly to Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers' applications. Zurzeit werden Flchtlinge, welche sich etwa in
der deutschen Botschaft in Beirut um ein Visum bemhten, abgelehnt, weil die
Konsularabteilung ihnen umstndehalber keine Rckkehrwilligkeit attestieren kann.258
German Government adheres to its pledges to support vulnerable Syrians into actions.
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers arrive in Germany by the official German humanitarian
initiative. FAZ reported.

256Ibid., Grne Fordern Aufnahme Von Syrischen Flchtlingen.

257Ibid., Debatte ber Syrische Flchtlinge.
258 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (30. January 2013): Bericht ber weiters Massaker in Syrien,
p. 2.

58

Deutschland hat unterdessen erstmals eine grere Gruppe von im syrischen

Brgerkrieg verletzten Personen aufgenommen 36 Schwerverletzte wurden am
Montag von der Bundeswehr aus Jordanien ausgeflogen, wo sie bisher behandelt
worden waren. Das Flugzeug landete in Stuttgart, von dort aus wurden die Verletzten
in Bundeswehrkrankenhuser nach Ulm, Hamburg, Berlin und Westerstede in
Niedersachsen gebracht.259
Since the conflict in Syria has turned into a sectarian war, the situation has become
difficult for the ethnic minorities. The number of Syrians asking for right of asylum in
Germany turned to be higher than expected. Therefore, some official voices called upon
limiting the support to Syrian refugees only to the minorities in the country. These voices
were met with rejection by German politicians. FAZ featured these voices in an article:
Hilfe fr Flchtlinge unabhngig von der Frage der Religionszugehrigkeit,260 Germany
cannot hold responsibility for all Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the world. The German
government has set official standards for the selection process due to the size of
vulnerability of refugee/asylum applicant. SZ1 focused on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
in Germany and who has the priority to come to Germany via the official program.
Wer nach Deutschland wolle, habe meist schon Familie hier, berichtet Norbert
Trosien, der beim UNHCR Deutschland fr Aufnahmeprogramme zustndig ist und
der Bundesregierung Vorschlge zur Auswahl der 5000 Flchtlinge gemacht hat. In
aufwendigen Einzelgesprchen hat das Hilfswerk 'besonders schutzbedrftige
Personen' ermittelt, alleinerziehende Mtter, Waisenkinder oder Menschen, die
spezielle medizinische Behandlung brauchen, sind darunter. Auerdem Menschen,
die spter einmal fr den Wiederaufbau des Landes wichtig sein knnten.261
Not all Syrian refugees/asylum seekers could settle in Germany, because the official
German program is limited to certain quota of (5000) refugees. Some Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers have reached Germany in independent illegal ways. SZ1
disclosed this issue and shed light about their daily life. Wir lebten dort im Heim, unsere
Erlaubnis wurde immer nur fr wenige Monate verlngert, keiner durfte arbeiten. Es war
schlimm.262
259Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (16. April 2013): Arabi: Waffenruhe in Syrien Wichtiger Als
Verhandlungen, p. 5.
260Sattar, Majid (25. April 2013): Wir Mssen Uns Auf Massenevakuierungen Vorbereiten. In: Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), p. 6.
261Theile, Charlotte (12. August 2013): 5000 Mal Hoffnung. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.
262Becker, Bjrn (27. December 2013): Sicherheit Auf Zeit. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 5.

59

In 2014, the Middle East witnessed harsh political crises due to the strong presence of
ISIS. The number of Syrian refugees in the EU has increased particularly in Germany.
Thousands of Syrians have come to Germany legally, and illegally applying for the right of
asylum. In an article FAZ reported about the increasing numbers of refugees in Germany
and listed Syria among the top refugees exporting countries. Die Zahl der Asylbewerber
in Deutschland ist in den ersten sechs Monaten dieses Jahres weiter stark gestiegen []
Die meisten Bewerber kamen aus dem Brgerkriegsland Syrien.263
The development in the news coverage of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers is influenced by
the political situation in the Middle East in general, and Syrian conflict in particular. This
development has immediate after-effects on news discourse and the representation of both
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the German government in this regard. Various issues
of Syrian refugees seem to be among major relevant news, along daily coverage tackling
the region of the Middle East. Frankfurter Allgemene Zeitung and Sddeutsche Zeitung
showed profound interest in Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the relationship that they
have with German citizens. FAZ reported in addition to the later on the effort of the
German government in providing support to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers along the
different steps of the asylum process. All articles are associated with the potential news
from the Middle East and the circumstances of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the
neighboring countries of Syria and in Germany.

5.3 Reporting disaster and displaying sympathy

The analysis revealed that Syrian war is one of the significant news in national
newspapers. Both newspapers during the Syrian conflict imported news on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers all over the world. The analyzed articles grant to detect how
Syrian humanitarian crisis is reported to the reader, not only that they bid insight about the
editorial approach toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The selected articles include
news, information, and stories upon the Syrian humanitarian disaster. But, Sddeutsche
Zeitung is arguably the earliest to promote the reader with detailed press coverage of the
Syrian war. In an article during the early days of Syrian conflict SZ1 reported. Allein die
Trkei hat bereits mehr als 70000 Flchtlinge aufgenommen. Zehntausende andere sind
vor den Kmpfen in Syrien in Nachbarstaaten wie Jordanien und Libanon geflohen. 264
263Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (19. July 2014): Zahl Der Asylbewerber Steigt Um 60 Prozent., p.
4.
264Ibid., Grne Fordern Aufnahme Von Syrischen Flchtlingen.

60

Likewise, FAZ published several reports and articles in this regard along international
news coverage and stories about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the ME. The
newspaper explained in an article shortly the nature of Syrian conflict and the battle of
Damascus between Aassad and the rebells showing symapthy for vulnerable Syrian
refugees/asylum Senkers. Nach schweren kampfen in sdlichen Stadtteilen der Syrischen
Hauptstadt Damaskus flohen am Wochenende Tausende in den Benachbarten Libanon. 265
Just as the humanitarian situation in Syria deteriorated on the field, SZ1 reported about the
regular skirmishes and the consequences of war on civilians. The newspaper scaled the
disaster in order to relieve the Syrians by informing the reader about agonising situations
of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Der Brgerkrieg in Syrien hat im August mehr
Menschen zur Flucht gezwungen als in jedem anderen Monat zuvor. Im August htten
mehr als 100000 syrische Mnner, Frauen und Kinder in den Nachbarlndern Trkei,
Libanon, Jordanien und Irak Zuflucht gesucht,266 Similarly to SZ1, the wave of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle East was viewed by FAZ as a hardship. FAZ paid
closer attention to the Syrian catastrophe and the numbers of fleeing Syrians in the regions.
Wir mssen also damit rechnen, dass zum Jahresende 3,5 Millionen Syrer ihr Heimatland
verlassen haben. Rechnen wir die Binnenflchtlinge in Syrien dazu, deren Zahl bis
Jahresende auf sechs Millionen anzusteigen droht, dann htte bis dahin die Hlfte der
syrischen Bevlkerung ihr Zuhause verlassen mssen.267 Later on, the newspaper reported
about the explosive situation of Syrian refugees/Syrian asylum seekers in coincidence with
the use of food as a weapon in Syria from the fighting parties. FAZ reported about Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers who are affected by the new tactics of the war, reflected on the
survivors and explained to the reader the reasons behind fleeing homes.
Die jngsten Berichte der Flchtlinge aus Homs, Hama, Aleppo und Damaskus
bezeichnet Springer als das Schlimmste, was er bislang gehrt habe. Aus den
Erzhlungen gehe hervor, dass das Assad-Regime das Aushungern von Zivilisten
gezielt als Kriegstaktik einsetze.268
The same issue is further discussed in SZ1. The newspaper dedicated a considerable space
for covering this issue. Nevertheless, Sddeutsche Zeitung brought the issue often along
other humanitarian stories.Drei Viertel der Syrer leben in Armut, viele hungern, ja der
265Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (28. August 2012): Hollande: Wir wrden Regierung der
syrischen Opposition anerkennen, p.2.
266Brssler, Daniel (5. September 2012): Aufruf Zu Mehr Einigkeit. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 9.
267Ibid., Wir Mssen Uns Auf Massenevakuierungen Vorbereiten.
268Bickel, Markus (12. November 2013): Hunger Als Waffe. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), p. 6.

61

Hunger ist gerade zu eine Waffe des Regimes geworden [...] Mehr noch: 6,5 Millionen
Syrer sind vertrieben, 2,8 Millionen ins Ausland geflohen. 269 Fighting forces in Syria
launched offensive attacks to overrun a string of Christian towns in north eastern Syria, the
settings of violent clashes exacted Syrians to leave. This matter appeared in FAZ. The
newspaper featured it, not only because it is newsworthy, but as it leads to the huge
disaster in the Middle East in general and Syria in particular. Seit dem Beginn der Krise
ist mehr als jeder zweite syrisch-orthodoxe Christ abgewandert, meist nach Europa,270
Apart from reporting on the Syrian disaster, national newspapers show a sympathetic
representation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and attempt to raise sympathy among
readers for them. This sympathy in coverage emerged from a blend of different news and
events. Both newspapers have given huge sympathetic account for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. Both newspapers articles are general article about Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Though, they expressed explicitly or implicitly sympathy for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. This solidarity is visible via German quotes about the plight of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. FAZ reported by quoting a German politician talking about
Syrian

refugees/asylum

seeker

and

showing

sympathy.

Nach Angaben

von

Regierungssprecher Steffen Seibert hatte am Freitag im Mittelpunkt des Gesprchs

gestanden, dass alles getan werden msse, um die humanitre Lage in Syrien zu
verbessern und 'das Elend der syrischen Flchtlinge zu lindern'.271 Correspondingly, SZ1
quoted German politician showing sympathy for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. 'Es
muss ein Zeichen der Humanitt vonseiten der Bundesrepublik geben', sagte Roth in
Celle.272 Other articles in SZ1 revealed that sympathy for Syrian refugees in an extended
mechanism, but only applying to certain cases. Sympathy is conspicuous betwixt German
humanitarian organizations. In an article, SZ1 reported the effort of German Non
Govermental Organisations toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. SZ1 reflected on the
sympathy among German NGOs, and the issue of reunification between Syrian refugees/
asylum seekers and their family members. The sympathy is explicitly portrayed. Bisher
ist es keinem der beiden gelungen, ihre Familie nachzuholen.273 Many Germans express
sympathy for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in all access of life, when Germans are

269Zerki, Sonja (31. May 2014): Die Groe Assad-Show. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 7.
270Hermann, Rainer (24. November 2014): Mehr Grund, Zu Beten, Als Frher. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung (FAZ), p.9.
271Ibid., Hollande: Wir Wrden Regierung Der Syrischen Opposition Anerkennen.
272Ibid., Aufruf Zu Mehr Einigkeit.
273Ibid., 5000 Mal Hoffnung.

62

called into a help, they show great readiness. SZ1 addressed this readiness and shed light
upon always standing Germans for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Da kommt eine Schwetzingerin, eine ltere Frau, ins Lager, guckt sich Garo aus
und sagt, an einem solchen Tag sei doch mal ein schnes Geschenk fllig, und ob er
vielleicht ein Fahrrad haben mchte. Garo, der Glckliche: Er besitzt jetzt ein
ziemlich gutes Fahrrad, dazu eine Luftpumpe und als Dreingabe ein Radio.274
It is arguable that there is a good coverage on disaster reporting and about displaying
sympathy for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany among the selected articles.
However, the concerned articles in this direction appeared in discursive timelines
depending again on the news of Syrian conflict in general, and Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in particular. SZ1 is more sensational than FAZ in this regard. Sddeutsche
Zeitung used clearly graphic description of the Syrian disaster within vivid sympathetic
language. On the other hand, FAZ is influenced by the size of news events coming from
the Middle East. FAZ referred to these issues more in form of international news formats.
It is remarkable that both newspapers are sympathetic and drawing bravely Syrian
reufugees/asylum seekers as innocent victims of the Syrian war and sectarian conflict in
the Middle East. This strategy is used within normal reporting through the use of proper
names, affiliations, and quotations.

5.4 Critique of German effort

Despite the fact that various articles in national press portrayed the diverse effort by
German government and citizens toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, national
newspapers criticized these effort and described them as being cramped. The newspapers
put more burden on Germany by minimizing the official effort toward Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. Across the chosen articles, FAZ revolved over some political
appeals for restricting Syrian asylum applications only to Syrian ethnic minorities in
general, and Syrian Christians in particular. FAZ reported on the official arguments in this
regard and focused more on voices that call on helping Syrians regardless of the religious
and ethnic conviction. Meine Position war es stets, Hilfe fr Flchtlinge unabhngig von
der Frage der Religionszugehrigkeit zu gewhren,275 In another concern, SZ1 evaluated
the German official program for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers stating that this program
274Klein, Stefan (25. February 2014):Willkommen. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 3.
275Ibid., Wir Mssen Uns Auf Massenevakuierungen Vorbereiten.

63

does not fit to the size of Syrian crisis. The newspaper reported on the huge number of
homeless Syrians across the Middle East, and the small German quota for Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. Fast zwei Millionen Syrer sind auf der Flucht, allein in Libanon
gibt es jeden Tag durchschnittlich 6000 Notregistrierungen. Bringt es da berhaupt etwas,
wenn die Bundesrepublik Deutschland Charterflge fr 5000 Menschen organisiert?.276
This issue is further acknowledged by FAZ, but in deeper analysis, as the newspaper
explored the German official program at some length and criticized it. Die
Bundesregierung will das Kontingent jedoch nicht erhhen. Der Schwerpunkt der
deutschen Hilfe sei vor Ort, sagte der Menschenrechtsbeauftragte der Bundesregierung,
Markus Lning (FDP).277
In addition, SZ1 referred to the small quota of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers castigating
the German humanitarian program. Diese Zahl ist allerdings sehr gering im Vergleich zur
Gesamtzahl der Syrer, die auf der Flucht sind.278
FAZ continues reporting in favour of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Regardless of the
fact, the official newly arrived Syrian refugees settled in the country. The newspaper
covered their circumstances, and emboldened more support for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers with concern of the genuine public interest concerns. Auch Sami ging es nicht
gut. 'Ich muss etwas tun', sagte er schon am zweiten Tag. Wie ein mder Tiger strich er
durch das Haus seines Schwagers, half auf der Baustelle des Neubaus hier und dort aus.279
One article of this selection extensively reports on issues of racism based on former social
disturbances and socio-cultural conflicts between few racist groups and former Syrian
immigrant in Germany. This article appeared in SZ1 as it criticized racism; this called on
protecting new coming Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Free State of Saxony.
Gerade hat einer seine gefunden. Sachsen-Anhalt, ruft er und mchte wissen, wie es
dort ist. Soll man ihm sagen, dass dort vor zwei Jahren eine syrische Familie von
drei Schlgern halb tot geprgelt wurde? Oder Thringen: Soll man sagen, dass dies
das Bundesland ist, in dem sich einst die mrderische Bande des NSU gebildet
hat?280
276Ibid., 5000 Mal Hoffnung.
277Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) (12. September 2013): Vorlufig Angekommen, p. 6.
278Preuss, Roland (15. May 2014): Deutsche Hilfe Fr Syrer. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 8.
279Jaeger, Mona (14. July 2014): Frieden Auf 50 Dreckigen Quadratmetern. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung (FAZ), p. 3.
280Ibid.,Willkommen.

64

Critique is in the interest of both newspapers by reason of reporting on the effort of

German politicians and non-governmental organizations, and reflecting on the German
effort on the Syrian disaster. The national press in this regard keeps the government and
the power of the German society under the loop. This analysis shows that Sddeutsche
Zeitung's coverage is more critical of German effort than Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,
but both presented their critique in general news coverage, reports, or in features. This
critique must be acknowledged for the positive, disruptive potential as it flagged the
problems that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers face every day in Germany. Yet, these
articles do not move beyond stating the fact that Germany is very generous to Syrian
refugees in comparison to other countries. The potency of this critique is contained by the
journalists' decision to focus on one specific effort.

5.5 Further support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

As Germany guaranteed support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and after the frequent
critics of the German effort, voices for further supports were heared over the national
newspapers. These voices aimed to support Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the
hosting communities in Germany. Accordingly, The selected articles underlined the
German commitment toward Syrian refugees, aiming to ease their burdens. Moreover,
national newspapers blame the international community for disillusioning Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle East. FAZ described the bearing of vulnerable
Syrians in the neighboring countries of Syria shedding light on the Syrian crisis. FAZ at an
early stage called upon Germany for delivering a proper resettlement program for Syrian
refugees who soon will be knocking on the German doors. Wir mssen uns natrlich auf
alle Eventualitten vorbereiten. Wir mssen einkalkulieren, dass sich die Situation noch
weiter verschlechtert [...] Das wrde eine beherztere Antwort der Staatengemeinschaft
verlangen.281
Since Syrian refugees/asylum seekers wait too long at the German embassies all over the
world for receiving a visa (some of them are lucky enough to have a visa, while others are
not), they come to Germany illegally taking dangerous roads and putting their lives and
their families in danger. Some Syrians are caught on the way by the police and put in
prison, others are attacked by criminal gangs, others even are drown in the Mediterranean.
SZ1 documented the adversity of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers referring to the German
281Ibid., Wir mssen uns auf Massenevakuierungen vorbereiten.

65

official quota for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Sddeutsche Zeitung signalled to

German state to support Syrian refugees/asylum seekers further, and to make the official
procedures reachable for them.
Diese 5000 Menschen sind nicht viel mehr als ein Zeichen. 'Genau wie die
deutschlandweite Vertretung Pro Asyl fordert sie die Bundesregierung auf, deutlich
mehr syrische Flchtlinge aufzunehmen.' Wer nicht zu diesen 5000 Auserwhlten
gehrt, hat im Prinzip nur die Mglichkeit, illegal einzureisen und einfach hier
aufzutauchen', sagt Siegert [Valeska Siegert vom Bayerischen Flchtlingsrat].282
Even with the official suppor, German NGOs run up various initiatives for them to
reenforce this support. FAZ reported on the non-official effort toward Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers inserting loud voices calling for assisting them further. The first
officially hosted group of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers arrived in the country.
Nevertheless, FAZ asserted the importance of such a humanitarian initiative, but tried to
convince the reader that German effort are not the greatest in comparison to the size of the
Syrian humanitarian crisis. Menschenrechtsorganisationen und Opposition forderten die
Bundesregierung auf, mehr als die bisher zugesagten 5000 Syrer aufzunehmen.
Gleichzeitig mahnte der Stdtetag, die Kommunen nicht mit den Kosten allein zu
lassen.283
As different voices did call upon increasing the humanitarian resettlement quota for
Syrians in order to facilitate safe and legal routes, the same voices advocated making
Germany accessible for Syrians families in particular. FAZ articled these voices.
Der Nachzug von Verwandten msse vereinfacht werden, fordert Karl Kopp von
der Menschenrechtsorganisation Pro Asyl. 'Deutschland kann und muss mehr tun.'
Momentan mssten die Verwandten nachweisen, dass sie fr alle Kosten ihrer
Familienmitglieder aufkmen, inklusive Krankenversicherung und Unterkunft,
kritisiert Kopp.284
Most Syrian refugees/asylum seekers recently residing in Germany have not adhered to the
quota of the German official program; they have come illegally to Germany. The illegal
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have left heavy burden on Germany. As result, the German
state suspended the official contingent. The German decision was encountered by NGOs
282Ibid., 5000 Mal Hoffnung.
283Ibid., Vorlufig Angekommen.
284Ibid., Die Ersten Schritte.

66

that called for extra-support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. SZ1 brought this issue in
focus.Dennoch sieht die Regierung keine Notwendigkeit, das Kontingent des
Hilfsprogramms

zu erhhen. Derzeit habe das beschlossene Programm noch

Restkapazitten.285
Parallel to the German politicians effort, these frequent calls upon improving the situation
of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers were found on the central list of decision makers in
Germany. German governement responded to these calls quickly. Notably, SZ1 informed
the reader and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers upon the new decisions in this regard by
quoting

German

politician

from

Social

Democratic

Party

(SPD).

Das

Aufnahmekontingent fr Menschen aus dem Brgerkriegsland zu verdoppeln.286 Other

articles revealing calls upon more support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers were
extended to specific cases. Calls upon further support among humanitarian organizations
were hearable. SZ1 reported about German NGOs and the activities that they do for
supporting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. SZ1 reflected upon this effort talking about
humanitarian issues of huge concern for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in general and the
issues of family reunification in particular. The newspaper underlined explicitly the family
reunification procedure, and the need for making it easier and quicker. In an article, SZ1
talked about the difficulties that hurdle the family reunification procedure: Auch in den
Flchtlingsvertretungen von Pro Asyl rufen tglich verzweifelte Syrer an, deren
Angehrige sich im Brgerkrieg oder in einem Flchtlingslager an der Grenze zu Syrien
befinden.287 Germans were addressed to help Syrian refugees/asylum seekers officially;
the German president showed solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers by stating that
Germany should offer Syrian refugees/asylums seekers further support and by viewing
them as guests in Germany. Sddeutsche Zeitung underlined Joachim Gauck's German
president nobel calls and shed ligh upon this official readiness. Eine Geste an die
Gastgeber sollte es sein [] 'Wir drfen die Hnde nicht in den Scho legen, wir knnen
auch mehr tun', sagt Gauck.288
All this said, there are frequent calls upon extra-support and enhancing the humanitarian
conditions for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers among the selected articles. But these
articles depended on the news coverage of Syrian conflict and the suffering of Syrian
285Hollenstein, Oliver (27. November 2013): Brokratische Hrden Fr Flchtlinge Aus Syrien. In:
Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.
286Ibid., Mehr Gastlichkeit Fr Syrer.
287Ibid., 5000 Mal Hoffnung.
288Schltzer, Christiane (28. April 2014): Endstation Stacheldraht. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 3.

67

refugees/asylum seekers in the world. It is remarkable that Sddeutsche Zeitung reported

more upon extra-support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in comparison to Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeiutng. SZ1 relied on direct quotations and official statements while listing
all the critics of the German effort. Similarly, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung expressed
sympathy and called out in several attempts for further support, yet FAZ's coverage comes
in form of news reports. The central point for both SZ1 and FAZ was to keep the reder
informed about their situations frequently, and by doing so, encouraging for more support
and easing their suffering.

5.6 Voices of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

German national newspapers' responsibility was not only limited to informing about issues
concerning Syrian refugees/asylum seekers from a theoretical perspective. They have
taken over other initiatives offering platforms for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to bring
their voices, wishes, and views to the reader. The voices of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
in the selected articles have obvious implications for how important the personal stories of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers can be in the news coverage. The content analysis of
national newspapers revealed that both newspapers have quoted Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in different occasions and periods. SZ1 has drawn the attention of the reader on the
views of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers regarding the German effort toward them. The
newspaper quoted a Syrian asylum seeker who was waiting in the Middle East to come to
Germany. Er findet, die 5000er-Quote sei noch viel zu gering-und zu exklusiv.
Schlielich richtet sie sich vor allem an Menschen, die in den Flchtlingslagern des
UNHCR in Libanon registriert sind.289 Syrian refugees/asylum seekers' voices are cited to
highlight their experience in Germany. As portrayed in an article by SZ1, Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers were given a room to narrate their stories, and to experience their
gratitude toward Germany for helping them in general and supporting a solution for Syria
in particular. Sie versuchen, beide Parteien an einen Tisch zu holen fr eine friedliche
Lsung. Sie wissen, wie Krieg ist und wie schlimm es fr ein Land ist, getrennt zu
werden.290 In one of the selected articles, FAZ referred directly to Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers by qouting a Syrian refugee/asylum seeker expressing his hope for a better future
for Syrian refugees' children who moved to Germany. Wir hoffen, dass die Kinder eine
289Ibid., 5000 Mal Hoffnung.
290Theile, Charlotte (21. September 2013): Im Land Der Teuren Fhrerschein. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung
(SZ), p. 11.

68

gute Zukunft in Deutschland haben werden.291 In another article, FAZ quoted a Syrian
refugee/asylum seeker expressing his nostalgia for Damascus. It is important to note that
FAZ drew the attention of the reader on the social isolation that Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers experience in the new hosting culture, and the new language. Deutschland blieb
ihm noch lange fremd. Wie ein Reiter ohne Pferd sa er in der Wohnung und wusste nicht
weiter. Und trumte noch immer von Damaskus,292
The most revealing article in this regard among the selected articles is from SZ1. It comes
in this sample as a large feature covering Syrian children, who are given the right of
asylum in Germany. The article questions on a Syrian activist for exposing the Syrian point
of view concerning the German official program for rescuing Syrian children.
Was die Leute in Syrien sagen wrden, wenn es die Kindertransporthilfe wirklich
gbe? 'Sie sagen: Rettet so viele wie ihr knnt. Aber es gibt auch Skepsis wegen der
verschiedenen Kulturen-und die Sorge, dass die Kinder ihre Eltern nicht
wiedererkennen, wenn sie zurckkommen.' Ruch sieht das nichtanders.293
In another article, SZ1 discussed the bureaucratic procedures, which Syrians living in
Germany experience if they want to sponsor a Syrian refugee/asylum seeker to live in
Germany. The article covered the story of the oldest Syrian refugee in the world, whose
children live in Germany and tried continuously to bring her legally to Germany, but with
no success in doing so. Therefore, she tried absurdly to come illegally to Germany. After
SZ1 brought the story under light, German politicians adopted the case and facilitated the
asylum procedure for her.
Sharuan Ali, der Sohn aus dem niederschsischen Vechta, ist in der vergangenen
Woche sogar nach Athen gekommen [] Deutschland hat sich zwar bereit erklrt,
mehr

als

10000

Syrer

'Familienzusammenfhrung'

aufzunehmen. Aber
steht

eine

auch

Grenzmauer

vor
aus

einer

mglichen

brokratischem

Stacheldraht.294
Thousand of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have come to Germany on boats. A boat
travelling between Africa and Europe crashed in front of the Italian shore, SZ1 interviewed
a Syrian survivor, who shared the details of the illegal trip with the reader telling the plight
291Ibid., Die ersten Schritte.
292Ibid., Frieden Auf 50 Dreckigen Quadratmetern.
293Hildebrand, Kathleen (19. May 2014): Aggressiv Umarmen. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p. 9.
294Moursela, Maria, and Christiane Schltzer (1. March 2014): Ihre Letzte Reise. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung
(SZ), p. 11.

69

of desperate refugees forced to pay exorbitant money for reaching the Europe Union in
general and Germany in particular.
Es war der reine Terror. Immer wenn sich das Schiff der Kstenwache wieder
aufgelst hatte in der Schwrze der Nacht und die Flchtlinge dachten, jetzt sei es
berstanden, kam es zurck [] Das Boot hatte jetzt Lcher. Einschsse auf der
Backbordseite. Das libysche Schiff drehte ab, nach den Schssen kam es nicht
wieder, das Flchtlingsboot setzte seine Fahrt fort,295
For Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, the arrival in Germany is a momentous occasion for
marking the beginning of a new life, and a new path toward the unknow. Though, they
look for future with anxiety and uncertainty. SZ1 covered this issue besides other issues
concerning the future of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany.
Aber manchmal rhrt sich bei Garo so ein kleines, nagendes Gefhl, er werde am
Ende vielleicht nicht akzeptiert werden in Deutschland, er knnte womglich als
Bedrohung wahrgenommen werden fr den Job eines anderen. Diese Furcht begleitet
ihn, und manchmal, selten, spricht er darber.296
It appears that SZ1 offers more space for Syrian refugees to express their voices than FAZ.
SZ1 presents the sufferings and negative experiences in Germany and outside Germany as
reported by them. Whereas, FAZ rarely consults a Syrian refugees/asylum seekers about
their circumstances in Germany. FAZ is more concerned with Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in direction of the German effort toward them.

5.7 Overall language of the articles

It is not difficult to recognize that the language of the selected articles is not only covering
reflection and expression, but also highlights by editorial practices the supporting of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The use of postive favorable language contributes to the
presentation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to the reader. It can be said that both
newspapers exercised an ultimate power to bring the stories of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers to the reader neutrally and to integrate Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the
German daily coverage. Both newspapers in General, and Sddeutsche Zeitung in
particular, have drawn the attention to several aspects concerning Syrian refugees/asylum
295Klein, Stefan (25. July 2014): Der Schiffbruch. In: Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), p.3.
296Ibid., Willkommen.

70

seekers such as the size of the German humanitarian support, the Syrian crisis, insited on
calling out for more effort, integration, and sharing the voices of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. In conclusion, both question on the represented Syrian refugees/asylum seekers as
neutrally as possible, but stayed positive which reflects sympathy for them and provide an
overview of the political and humanitarian dimension of the Syrian crisis, and the amount
of the urgent humanitarian support for the vulnerable Syrians. Both newspapers used
extensivisation in describing the situation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the
supportive actions for them in details, adding subsidiary information concerning the
political and humanitarian situations in Syria, and the life of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in the Middle East and in Germany. The newspapers focused in the same way on
the German effort in neutral methods, where various aspects for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers are counted for. This is pursued in both newspapers in different varying degrees
and qualities depending on the importance of the event and the news in the Middle East.
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are constantly described as being: vulnerable, exhausted,
victims, hopeless and hopeful in poor life conditions, in skirmishes, victims of conflicts,
and in new life.
Negative predications were further present, but not against Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers. The negative predications were addressed at German effort as both newspapers
questioned the nature and the size of the German support. There is a process of direct use
of quotations employed by both newspapers for quoting with detailed qualities German
politicians and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. This strategy aims to keep the information
in perspective aligning the reader to the side of the Syrian refugees/asylum seekers by the
use of mechanism that depends on factual sympathetic reporting and direct quotations.
If the story has a humanitarian touch: refusal of asylum request, desperate refugees,
refugees reunited with their families in Germany, and Germans supporting Syrian
refugees, it carries a strong appeal to Germany for a huge humanitarian operation to help
Syrian fleeing to Germany from the atrocities. Within the structure of the articles regarding
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, there are explicit negative referential and predication
strategies used against Syrian regime along with its general negative actions against
civilians. This trend is more prominent in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung than
Sddeutsche Zeitung. It reflects the differences in journalistic and editorial practices. FAZ
bases its press coverage more on news. In the meanwhile, SZ1 reports depending on
stories and features focusing on the humanitarian side of the stories. There is also a
71

remarkably high frquency of using irony. Er hat so ein Fenster noch nie gesehen. Dann
der erste Ausflug von Friedland nach Gttingen, und noch mehr Wunder. Wasser und Seife
in der Zugtoilette auf Knopfdruck. Fugnger, die bei Rot warten. Frauen, die Fahrrad
fahren.297
In this analysis, the socio-cultural and political context of the event of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in this period constitutes a different conclusion rule for the
interpretation of this ironic language. The use of the irony is not necessarily a negative
presentation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, rather adding understanding toward the
challenges they are going through, even by being safe living in Germany. It calls on more
humanitarian supports for them on the social, cultural, and political level.

6 Study analysis of regional newspapers

6.1 Content scrutiny
The analysis of regional newspapers examined (66) articles from the original data to
explore the regional press coverage regarding Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The
conducted research hypothesizes that different story-lines in quantity and quality would
emerge in both newspapers due to the huge difference in numbers of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in both regions, and the different news and events in the two
completly contrasting regions (in terms of political landscapes and the presence of early
immigration from the Middle East). Particular narratives and coverages are more visible
than others, as the two regional models divers in editorial orientation. The selected articles
materialized adequately the issues of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the German
regions where Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are localized due to the huge pressure that is
made by the growing numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the different regions.
The extent of coverage and visibility differs depending on the timeline and the arrival of
new Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the target regions. Equivalently to national
newspapers, articles in regional newspapers appeared in the first months of the Syrian
conflict in form of small news reports, but most articles appeared in 2013 and 2014, as the
conflict expansed in the Middle East in general, and Syria in particular. These findings
implicate how regional press coverage developed Syrian refugees/asylum seekers matters
in daily editorial work.
297Ibid., Willkommen.

72

This analysis exposes the differences between two different regional newspapers, uncovers
the biases, deconstructs the stereotypes and problematic conventional beliefs that
determine regional newspapers in representation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and
shed light on the applied editorial narrative techniques in regional newspapers.
The analysis coded all types of articles. The unit of analysis is the entire article. In
presenting the results of content analysis of Klner Stadt-Anzeiger and Schsische
Zeitung, this section presents certain topics that were dominant in the above mentioned
newspapers.
The key similarities and differences of the articles were taken into consideration. The
bylines of the articles are important indicators of the news origin and the importance of the
articles. Both newspapers have a good portion of staff-written articles and reports. But the
number of articles in KSTA is bigger than in SZ2 due to the strong presence of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in North Rhine-Westphalia in comparison with the number of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Free State of Saxony. Both newspapers of the early
two years of Syrian war articles in form of small general news reports informing the reader
on Syrian war in general, and the new coming Syrian asylum seekers to the regions of the
newspapers in particular. Klner Stadt-Anzeiger offered profound insight about Syrian war
and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in shape of staff-written articles and news reports,
while Schsische Zeitung signalized a greater level of interest in form of features and long
reports. But regional newspapers' byline source is staistically differ in the coverage
between the two newspapers with great significance.
Numbers of regional articles according to bylines.

60
49

50
40
30
20
10

30

14

17
10

6
1

Agency Source
No Source
Journalist/reporter
Staff/Agency
Whole Articles

73

KSTA

SZ2

The analysis of Klner Stadt-Anzeiger shows that (61,22) percent of the analyzed articles
are contributed by journalists/reporters, (20,40) percent of the articles are taken from news
agencies, (12,25) percent are given by Staff writer and agencies, in addition to (6,13)
percent of the articles without sources. The unsourced articles are in from of news
columns. In Schsische Zeitung, the analysis reveals that (82,36) percent of the articles are
listed by journalists/reporters, (5,88) percent of the articles are from news agencies, and
(11.76) percent of the articles are in forms of small news reprots and not sourced. The
topics of the articles measure what newspapers and editors emphasize as important, this
trend is a major consideration in analysing the output of the regional newspapers. (66,68)
percent of the selected regional articles are with primary topics, while the rest of the
articles (24,29) percent non-primary topics. It is clear that both newspapers share the same
attitude toward the overall topic of the study, but with slight differences in regards to the
coverage and the way the newspapers tackle the topics. KSTA focuses more on the issue of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the issues this problematic brings along with North
Rhine-Westphalia, and how regional authorities deal with. Whereas, SZ2 focuses more on
the humanitarian aspects of the adversity of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the effort
the German regional authorities put in order to support them in the State of Free Saxony.

6.2 German metropolises and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

This coverage in both regional newspapers introduced frequently issues of concern for
Syrian refugee/asylum seeker, and for Germans. That reflects the amount of interest that
regional newspapers dedicated to domestic and social problems in their related regions.
Regional newspapers responded to important related news and events by increasing the
number of articles regarding Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in their regions, which clearly
states that regional coverage is responsive to regional political and social events.
In the first year of the Syrian conflict 2011, among regional newspapers, SZ2 was linked
to the discussion of an unexpected illegal arrival of Syrians in the Free State of Saxony.
SZ2 reported on illegal arrival of Syrian family in Dresden, informing the reader with
details of the global context, and bringing clarity about the reasons behind the illegal
forced immigration of Syrians toward Germany
Die Familie habe wegen des Brgerkrieges in Syrien Asyl beantragt und wurde zur
Zentralen Auslnderbehrde Chemnitz gebracht. Nach Angaben des Bundesamtes
74

fr Migration und Flchtlinge haben in diesem Jahr bis Juli 62 Flchtlinge aus
Syrien in Sachsen Asyl beantragt. Bundesweit zhlte das Amt 2 246 AsylantrgeSyrien stehe inzwischen auf Platz 3 der Hauptherkunftslnder.298
The big numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in NRW have brought challenges to
the region. Regardless of the various challenges, the metropolises were overloaded with
asylum procedures and proceed slowly the submitted asylum applications. KSTA shed
light on the perceptions and interactions between Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the
hosting authorities. The newspaper made a connection between local issues and the
political context by providing the reader with good background information concerning
Syrian refuges/asylum seekers and their daily issues. Wegen des Ansturms klappt dieses
Verfahren aber nicht. Asboe fordert vom Bundesamt, mehr Entscheider zu entsenden,
damit die Flle schneller bearbeitet werden knnen. 299 The hosting cities have
encountered huge challenges by the increasing number of Syrian refuges/asylum seekers.
KSTA reported about the over dose of Syrians in NRW, and the complications they have
challenged the region with. The newspaper implicitly questioned the increasing number,
and argued that the city of Cologne has exceeded its assigned quote and cannot stand more
arrivals of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Die Klner Aufnahmequote wird derzeit nur
zu 95,5 Prozent erfllt. Da aktuell in Deutschland 5000 syrische Flchtlinge sowie weitere
300 aus dem Irak und Libyen aufgenommen werden, steht die Stadt vor erneuten
Herausforderungen.300
In the first days of the German official program for Syrian refuges/asylum seekers, the
German concerned central authorities had distributed Syrian refugees among regions. The
Free State of Saxony received Syrian refugees with high social and political readiness. SZ2
featured the offered applicability to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Die Staatsregierung besttigte jetzt gleich mehrere Hilfsangebote von schsischen
Brgern, die die Flchtlingsfamilien bei ihrem Aufenthalt im Freistaat untersttzen
wollen. In den vergangenen Tagen htte man entsprechende Briefe und Mails
erhalten-unter anderem aus Grlitz. Innenminister Markus Ulbig (CDU) freut sich
ber die Offerten und hofft, dass mglichst viele syrische Familien davon profitieren
werden. 301
298Ibid., Flchtlingsfamilie Aus Syrien Reist Mit Falschen Visa Ein.
299Tutt, Heinz (29. August 2012): Zu Wenig Platz Fr Asylbewerber. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p.
8.
300Ibid., Zu Wenig Platz Fr Flchtlinge.
301Saft, Gunna (11. September 2013): Ankunft Aus Dem Kriegsgebiet.In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.

75

As the regional authorities in NRW were exhausted by the numbers of Syrian

refugees/asylum seekers, the authorities started to face social problems with Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers as they are not happy to settle down in group housing units. These
issues and the opposing reactions to the official plans were brought in consideration by
KSTA. JAZMATI: Das kam fr uns nicht infrage. Das htte bedeutet, dass meine 90jhrige Oma in Deutschland in ein Flchtlingsheim muss.302
A range of different views on the impact of the refugee arrival in general and Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in particular on the economy and the service sector in Germany
were positively expressed. KSTA evaluated Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and introduced
them to the reader as professional migrants who may contribute to the German future and
economy. Zuwanderung kann ein wichtiger Beitrag zur sozialen und wirtschaftlichen
Entwicklung sein303 Regional measures toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are
adopted to respond to the increasing demands of the uprising number of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. German authorities opened several discussions concerning more
effort to meet up with the needs of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. KSTA focused on the
given effort reporting different point of views regarding these issues. Die Stadtverwaltung
reagiert auf die dramatisch steigenden Flchtlingszahlen mit der Einrichtung einer Task
Force sowie einer Erweiterung der Notunterknfte.304
The German asylum law does not allow asylum seekers to work. Though, asylum seekers
are forced to wait for a long time until their status is approved, a work permission is
assured. During this period, the lives of asylum seekers come to a standstill, specifically
during the first months of the asylum procedure. This waiting period differs from region to
region. In some states, the residency limitation is less strict, but even then the asylumseeker is only allowed to work and move within the state and under certain regulations.
With regard to this, SZ2 published an article commenting on these issues, and the new
steps for easing the circumstances for refugees/asylum seekers. Nach einem weiteren
Praktikum am Diakonissenkrankenhaus hofft er nun, dass es dort fr ihn weitergeht,
wenigstens als Praktikant. Eigentlich gilt seit Juli eine neue Regelung fr Flchtlinge mit
seinem Status, die ihm das Arbeiten erlauben wrde.305
302Gajevic, Mira (11. September 2013): Stndig Werden Neue Hrden Aufgestellt. In: Klner StadtAnzeiger (KSTA), p. 3.
303Gajevic, Mira (13. September 2013): Christen Werden Nicht Bevorzugt. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p. 6.
304Attenberger, Tim (14. September 2013): Die Massenunterkunft Zurck. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p. 33.
305Mundus, Jana (19. September 2013): Mit Dem Kopf in Syrien. In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 17.

76

Good number of Syrians applied for asylum through the German embassies in the Middle
East, yet just few of them had the chance to receive a visa regardless the official program
for Syrian refugees/asylum seeker. As results, Syrians who could not make it legally to
Germany, made the chance of making it illegally. The increasing number of illegal Syrians
have led to stuggle with these unexpected arrivals. German metropolises had faced
hardship in dealing with these numbers, and KSTA reflected on illegal Syrians in NRW
and what circumstances they have. Diese Gruppe wird oft vergessen obwohl sie am
hrtesten

getroffen

ist.

Diese

Menschen

haben

im

Gegensatz

zu

den

Kontingentflchtlingen weder Arbeits-noch Aufenthaltserlaubnis.306 In addition to this,

hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Saxony against the arrival of new Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in the region, and the regional politics that support and welcome
more refugees and asylum seekers. SZ2 highlighted the voices against Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in the region and the building of new refugee camps for
refugees/asylum seekers. Nach den Protesten gegen das Asylbewerberheim verteidigte
der Regierungschef die Stadt jedoch gegen den Vorwurf der Auslnderfeindlichkeit. Es sei
die NPD, welche dort die Brger fr ihre braune Ideologie missbrauche, sagte Tillich. 307
Stanislaw Tillich, the Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony.
In spite of the local demonstrations against the German refugee's policy and the support
for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, the Free State of Saxony announced its new initiative
for hosting more Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The policy makers stated likewise that
they are willing to adopt new measures to guarantee peace and safety for Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers escaping the conflict. SZ2 brought this decision under lights. Die
Zahl der Brgerkriegsflchtlinge aus Syrien, die knftig in Sachsen untergebracht werden,
wird sich deutlich erhhen. Statt der eingeplanten 257 Flchtlinge wird der Freistaat
insgesamt 514 aufnehmen.308
The war in Syria and the hard illegal trip to Germany have affected many Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers with mental instabilities. The hosting regions have tackled these
serious psychological issues, and initiated preparation of infrastructures to cope up with
refugees in need of psychological assistance, but these issues led to tensions among local
communities as some Germans expressed their fear from this psychological instabilities,
and their eventual effect on their lives and security as shed by KSTA.
306Attenberger, Tim (25. September 2013): Kln Hat Kein Geeignetes Unterbringungskonzept. In: Klner
Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p. 7.
307Schsische Zeitung (SZ) (11. November 2013): Tillich Gibt Fehler Bei Asylpolitik in Sachsen Zu, p. 1.
308Schsische Zeitung (SZ) (10. December 2013): Sachsen Nimmt Mehr Syrische Kriegsflchtlinge, p. 1.

77

Die Angst vor den gefhrlichen Patienten sorgt an jederm potenziellen Standort fr
groen Widerstand [...] Proteste konnte das nicht verhindern. Auch in Kln hatte es
seinerzeit groe ngste der Anwohner gegeben, als im Sden die Forensik entstand.
Inzwischen sind die Anwohner-dank intensiver Aufklrung-entspannt.309
The Dublin Regulation started being applied as the number of arrival grew bigger than
expected. Many Syrian nationals who have come to Germany illegally and submitted
precedently an application in European Union country before were deported in an effort to
deter others from following the same path. The Free State of Saxony has officially
deported Syrians after finding out that they have been granted the right of asylum in
another European Union country. SZ2 cleared to the reader these issues by interviewing
Tillich.
Wir wissen, dass, wenn Menschen in Not sind, wir ihnen auch helfen mssen. Aber
wer zur Unrecht versucht, vom Asylrecht Gebrauch zu machen, der muss auch
konsequent wieder dahin zurckgebracht werden, wo er letztendlich hergekommen
ist. Sonst wrden wir denen Unrecht tun, die zu Recht hier Asyl suchen.310
Since Germany began granting Syrians the right of asylum, the number of Syiran refugees
coming to Germany has risen dramatically in NRW. Fears of social disorder became a hot
issue to discuss in Colonge. KSTA reported about the later. Die Zahl der in Kln lebenden
Flchtlinge nimmt seit Jahresanfang rasant zu [...] Insbesonder der Anteil der zuziehenden
Syrer haben in der vergangenen Monaten deutlich zugenommen,311
The huge numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have caused debate between German
politicians and governors. New voices among metropolises started playing against the
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Furthermore, they have started to call upon German
policy makers to stop welcoming refugees in general, and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
in particular. KSTA brought these voices to the reader.
Eine genaue Aufschlsselung kann die Stadt nicht vorlegen, da jeden Tag neue
Flchtlinge hinzukommen und andere die Stadt wieder verlassen, weil sie in ihre

309A. Cepielik, Barbara, and Fabian Klask (9 January. 2014): Ungliebte Herbergen. In: Klner StadtAnzeiger (KSTA), p. 8.
310Richter, Frank (20 August. 2014): Wie Viele Asylbewerber Knnen Wir Aufnehmen?. In: Schsische
Zeitung (SZ), p. 4.
311 Attenberger, Tim (27. August 2014): Die Unterknfte in Kln sind voll belegt. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p. 3.

78

Heimatlnder zurckkehren mssen oder einer anderen Kommune in NordrheinWestfalen zugewiesen werden.312
The analyzed articles revealed that German metropolises have extended its power to cope
up with the massive numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The effort do differ
depending on the numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the regional assigned
quotas. The articles discussed problems of huge concern for German citizens and Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers alike. These articles are detailed. Yet, both newspapers tackle the
issues of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and German metropolises and cities from the
same perspectives by looking at the measurements of the metropolises and the needs of the
vulnerable Syrians.

6.3 Integration of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

The integration of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the hosting German societies is a
dynamic process for leading them to normal productive life, so that they can fulfil an equal
membership in Germany. Regional newspapers contributed a range of different articles
about the arrival of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany and discussed the needs
of social integration. The collection of regional articles discussed the freedom of
movements, access to education and jobs, access to public relief, the possibility of
acquiring property, and the possibility of obtaining in the future the German citizenship.
Most German regions have considered several procedures for integrating Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. The first steps that the German metropolises offer on the way to
integration after qualifying the refugee is a job. KSTA reflected at an early stage on a
Syrian woman who has a successful job in Germany and respected by her colleagues. The
newspaper introduced the woman to the reader in a positive description as a successful
Syrian female who is willing to be a productive person in the German society. In
Rheine/Mnsterland gibt es den Januz-Korczakkindergarten [...] In diesem Kidergarten
arbeitet Aisha, eine syrische Frau mit vier eigenen Kinder. Sie wird geliebt und geachtet.313
For some years refugees/asylum seekers were isolated in refugee camps around the cities.
German authorities noticed the huge integration difficulties that refugees experienced due
to this isolation. New measures to move toward the integration process were adopted, and
312Attenberger, Tim (6. November 2014): Roters Will Keine Weiteren Flchtlinge. In: Klner StadtAnzeiger (KSTA), p. 27.
313Neudeck, Rupert (9. October 2012): Eine Quote Fr Syrische Flchtlinge!. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p. 4.

79

to make Syrian refugees/asylum seekers part of the hosting communities. KSTA illustrated
these issues.
Da es in etlichen Wohnheimen Familien gibt, die seit Jahren dort Leben [...] sollen
die Hrden gesenkt werden, damit diese gut integrierten Familien ausziehen knnen
in freie Wohnungen. Fr ihre Beratung und Betreuung sei seitens der Hilfsverbnde
auch mehr Personal ntig, ist sich der Runde Tisch einig. Mehr Hilfe bentigte auch
die zunehmende Zahl traumatisierter Flchtlinge aus den Kriegsgebieten in
Syrien,314
The Syrian refugees/asylum seekers who arrived via the official program profited from a
quick orientation course. This course introduces briefly the Syrian refugee/asylum seeker
to the German political System, culture, and above all the language. It means to ease the
barriers between the refugees and the hosting communities, and by so to integrate them in
the German society. SZ2 featured the offical effort on the integration process. Wenn
Walid und seine Familie eines der Aufnahmelager im niederschsischen Friendland und
Bramsche-samt erstem Orientierungskurs und medizinischer Versorgung-durchlaufen
haben, werden sie im Landkreis Nordsachsen leben.315
The German authorities offer Syrian refugees/asylum seekers the right to obtain
professional qualifications and to work for making them in the future economically
independent, and as result, to productive individual and participate in the German
economy. These measures were addressed in KSTA. Sie sollen nicht auf staatliche Hilfe
angewiesen sein.316 The financial costs of integration courses are covered by the German
state. These costs were materialized and viewed positively by Germans; as such courses
facilitate the mutual relationship between Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the hosting
societies. SZ2 analyzed in an article the social and economic integration of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and the future benefit that Germany will have from its new
qualified citizens.
Diese Kosten fallen Jahr pro Jahr an, wenn wir Asylsuchende zum Nichtstun
verurteilen. Wenn wir sie dagegen auf dem Weg zu einem eigenstndigen Leben
untersttzen wrden durch Spracherwerb, Integration, Akkulturation an unsere

314Boldt, Kirsten (12. September 2012): Zwei Neubauten Fr Flchtlinge. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p. 26.
315Ibid., Ankunft aus dem Kriegsgebiet.
316Ibid., Crashkurs Deutschland.

80

Werte, Qualifizierung und Berufsausbildung, wrden fr eine bergangszeit

erhebliche Kosten verursacht. Lohnt sich diese Geldausgabe?317
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers know that integration is not a one-way process, it means
that the guests have to give effort and introduce themselves to the hosting societies. SZ2
focused solely on the effort that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers put together for their
social integration, and the friendly relationship between them and German neighbours.
Das Kennenlernen der Nachbarn haben die Kloshos gleich am ersten Tag selbst in die
Hand genommen, geklingelt und sich vorgestellt [...] so der Syrer. Etwas mehr Kontakt zu
den Dresdnern wnscht er sich schon318
Likewise KSTA reported on the personal effort given by Syrian refugees/asylum seekrs in
order to integrate in the hosting culture. The newspaper focuses on the effort invested in
learning the language.Wobei Jasmin schon 300 Stunden Sprachkurs hinter sich hat und
viel versteht.319
The process of integration is positively predicted in context of the German support for
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Both newspapers, and more visibly in Schsische Zeitung,
emphasized the German role in the integration mechanism. The issue of the language
barrier was additionally dominant in both newspapers. The language barrier was a focus
point by Klner Stadt-Anzeiger in an earlier stage though. The social dimension of the
integration process between Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the Germans is a daily
present issue. Both newspapers spoke about the relationship between Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and German citizens, reflecting on the German readiness for
welcoming new neighbors, specifically in Klner Stadt-Anzeiger. Schsische Zeitung
reported frequently on the negative attitude of some citizen toward foreigners in general
and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in particular in the Free State of Saxony.

6.4 Dispersal of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and housing problems

The controversial topic of dispersal of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers among the regions,
have delivered good amount of materials for regional press coverage. This topic is
carefully been paid attention to in both newspapers. Along the early appearance of Syrian
317Gillo, Martin (18. October 2013): Flchtlinge Einbeziehen!. In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 5.
318Weller, Andreas (17. January 2014): Neue Heimat Dresden. In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 17.
319Kreikebaum, Uli (11. February 2014): Elfjhrige Als Dolmetscherin. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA),
p. 27.

81

refugees/asylum seekers KSTA exposed the reader to the mechanism of distributing Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers among German metropolises. Die Asylsuchenden bleiben
normalerweise maximal drei Monate in Hemmer, ehe sie einer Stadt oder Kommune in
NRW zugeteilt werden.320 Later on, Klner Stadt-Anzeiger provided the reader with more
details concerning the dispersal process as the number of Syrians as NRW's proportion of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers exceeded the expectations. Von den 5000 syrsichen
Flchtlinge, die in den nchsten Wochen nach Deutschland kommen, werden rund 1060 in
Nordrhein-Westfalen leben.321 Not all Syrian applications for the right of asylum in
Germany have been approved. Therefore, Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have different
status. The status determines the city of destination. Hence, German regions face potential
problems as thousands of illegal uncoordinated arrivals randomly affect the cities. As
result, the regional policy of dispersal was differed among the regions. This issue was
brought by KSTA in focus.
Das hngt davon ab, welchen rechtlichen Status Sie haben. Gehren Sie zu den 5000
Flchtlingen, sollen sie nach Mglichkeit in privaten Wohnungen untergebracht werden.
Haben sie Asyl beantragt, mssen sie wie alle Asylbewerber fr die ersten sechs bis zwlf
Wochen in eine Gemeinschafsunterkunft.322 Schsische Zeitung discussed how Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers are dispersed nation-wide. The newspaper brought voices of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers complaining that they have no say in the destination that
German authorities assign for them. SZ2 interviewed a Syrian refugee/asylum seeker who
was about leaving Deresden, after he dwelt in the city for few weeks, the newspaper
argued that the refugee/asylum seeker should have the right to determine where to stay.
bekommt einen Platz in einem Heim in der Trachauer Strae und stellt einen Asylantrag
[...] Im Sommer 2012 muss er umziehen-nach Chemnitz. Obwohl er schon einige Monate
in Dresden gelebt hat, kommt er dort ins zentrale Heim fr die Erstaufnahme von
Asylbewerbern. Sie werden von dort aus in die schsischen Kommunen verteilt.323
As conferred, it is engaging to give attention in the regional newspapers to the problematic
housing issues. Germany metropolises have experienced with the unexpected arrival of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers increasing demands on residences. The regional
newspapers do not imply directly that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are the reason
320Pluwatsch, Petra (19. October 2012): Von Homs Nach Hemer. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p.8.
321Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA) (24. August 2013): Generation Flchtling, p. 2.
322Ibid., Christen werden nicht bevorzugt.
323Ibid., Mit dem Kopf in Syrien.

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behind the limitation. Yet, the capacity for refugees/asylum seekers in general and Syrians
in particular is not planned for huge numbers.
Upon embarking on this analysis, several articles dealing with the housing issues have
been analyzed. All in all, regional newspapers focused frequently on such issues. KSTA
published issues relating to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers' accommodation in terms of
humanitarian crisis and conflicts. The newspaper stated that the upsurge in number of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers has created an unprecedented crisis suggesting, that it is
entirely Syrian refugees/asylum seekers behind the housing problems in the region.
In Dortmund mietet die Stadt sogar schon Hotelzimmer an, damit die Bewerber die
drei bisfnftgige Aufnahmeprozedur vom Bundesamt fr Flchtlinge absolvieren
knnen, berichtet die dort erscheinende 'Westflische Rundschau'. Hintergrund:
Immer mehr Flchtlinge aus Krisengebieten wie Irak, Iran oder aktuell Syrien
beantragen in NRW Asyl.324
In another article, KSTA brought up the appearing housing problems looming about Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers and the shortage in certain metropolises. The newspaper implied
imminently that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are behinde the housing problems in the
region. Das Dortmunder Aufnahmehaus hatte am Dienstag angekndigt, keine
Neuankmmlinge mehr aufzunehmen. Der Grund: Windpocken. Zudem sei die Zahl der
Asylbewerber in den vergangenen Tagen explosionsartig gestiegen.325
One further method of dealing with the issues of housing is observed in KSTA. The
newspaper provided the reader with figures regarding the demand on housing units by
refugees in general and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in particular. The article informed
effectively upon the urban problems and the strain on the service sectors in the cities. Die
Stadt fehlen aktuell 300 bis 400 Pltze zur Unterbringung. Ein seit Jahren bestehender
Mangel.326
KSTA reported very often about the big number of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and
the shortage in housing sector. To fill such a gape, the German government has taken new
procedures. One of these steps was the evacuation of governmental buildings, schools, and
churches. Once the regional authorities, evacuated playground for using it as a housing
units for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. KSTA informed the readers that their children
324Ibid., Zu wenig Platz fr Asylbewerber.
325Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA) (11. October 2012): Zusatzheim in Neuss Fr Flchtlinge, p. 8.
326Ibid., Zwei Neubauten Fr Flchtlinge.

83

have to find a new playground. Zwei Tage nachdem sie als Notunterkunft hergerichtet
worden war, haben bereitss mehr als 50 Flchtlinge die Turnhalle im Schulzentrum
Weiden bezogen.327
No wonder why many stories have been narrated upon housing problems in Klner StadtAnzeiger, as the region has the biggest number of Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in
Germany. Yet, the interesting fact is that Schsische Zeitung on the basis of the selected
articles has not contributed any article in this direction. Nevertheless, the newspaper put an
argument that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are good for the demographic development
of the Free State of Saxony.

6.5 Solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

Overt expressions of solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers were found in regional
newspapers. Yet, it must be cleared that there is no single article directly related to
solidarity. Many of the articles covered Syrian refugees/asylum seekers from different
perspectives with regard to the Syrian war. The feeling of solidarity is presented mainly
implicitly, occasionally; it is spelt explicitly out particularly when the newspaper tries to
convince the reader to stand with the humanitarian crisis of Syrians. Regional articles in
general offered Syrian refugees/asylum seekers the deserved solidarity as it is overtly
expressed in sympathetic articles. This solidarity can be found in both newspapers, but
SZ2 illustrated solidarity by calling upon the community in the Free State of Saxony to be
open to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and supportive throughtout the daily life. Gefragt
seien

Alltagshilfendie

Begleitung

bei

Behrdenterminen,

bersetzungen

von

Schriftstcken oder Schlerbetreuung [...] Geklappt hatte das schon einmal [...] wo viele
verschiedene Untersttzer dies alles gemeinsam organisierten.328 Likewise, KSTA brought
solidarity to Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The solidarity is included in reporting on
German church's several charities for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle East
and Germany. KSTA explained to the reader the amount of sufferings of Syrians and what
must be done for facilitating the procedures for new Syrian asylum seekers.
SCHNEIDER: Die Bundeslander sollten prfen, wie sie in Deutschland lebenden Syrern
die vorbergehende Aufnahme von Angehrigen und Freunden erleichtern und so die
327Damm, Andreas, and Tim Attenberger (15/16. November 213): Konzernzentrale Als Notunterkunft. In:
Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p. 27.
328Ibid., Ankunft aus dem Kriegsgebiet.

84

Selbsthilfekrfte strken knnen. Da errichten die deutschen Gesetze bislang sehr hohe
Hrden,329
In addition, solidarity was expressed enormously by German politicians. It has important
implications, as it indicates how politicians deal with international humanitarian crisis.
Solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers is not limited only to the later in Germany,
but to all Syrians. SZ2 assigned sympathetic articles to vulnerable Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in the Middle East explaining the circumstances and commenting on the German
official quota. Wenn Lnder wie Jordanien Millionen Flchtlinge aus Syrien aufnehmen
msste auch Deutschland seien Beitrag leisten.330
One of the top interesting articles among the analyzed articles is one by SZ2 on Syrian
asylum seekers, whose asylum applications were rejected. Schsische Zeitung reported
with very great impression of solidarity by criticizing the German policy toward
refugees/asylum seekers in general, and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in particular, as
authorities refused some Syrian applications and decided to transfer the refused Syrian
asylum seeker outside Germany posing them to danger.
Einer von ihnen ist seit sieben Tagen Ghada Ammars Ehemann. Sie hat keinen Kontakt zu
ihm und Angst, dass sie ihn nicht wiedersieht-und dass sie nach Bulgarien zurckmuss.
'Wir knnen nicht zurck, wir haben kein Geld mehr', sagt sie. 'Wir mssen mit den
Kindern auf der Strae leben.' Wieder bricht die 35-Jhrige in Trnen aus. Sie wollte doch
nur Sicherheit fr sich und ihre Kinder, sagt sie leise.331
Once more, Schsische Zeitung commented on the German quota for Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers signing that the current numbers in the Free State of Saxony are
not enough. The newspapes called on raising the capcity for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in the region. Die Zahl der Brgerkriegsflchtlinge aus Syrien, die knftig in
Sachsen untergebracht werden, wird sich deutlich erhhen. Statt der eingeplanten 257
Flchtlinge wird der Freistaat insgesamt 514 aufnehmen.332
Strings of aggression were registered in NRW region against refugees in general and
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in particular. In an article, KSTA featured the perpetrating
actions emphasizing the existing need to actualize people, and insert the values of
329Frank, Joachim (4. November 2013): In Den Familien Herrscht Die Pure Depression. In: Kner Stadt
Amzeiger (KSTA), p. 5.
330Ibid., Tillich gibt Fehler bei Asylpolitik in Sachsen zu.
331Schwar, Andreas (14. November 2013): Endstation Abschiebung. In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 3.
332Ibid., Sachsen Nimmt Mehr Syrische Kriegsflchtlinge.

85

tolerance for future coexistence. The solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers was
encouraged by quoting German president criticizing the racism that Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers may face in the hosting societies.
Auch heute sind Menschen an vielen Orten der Welt auf der Flucht. Wir denken an
das schreckliche Schicksal der Familien aus Syrien, wir denken an die Verzweifelten,
die den gefhrlichen Weg nach Europa ber das Wasser wagen. Wir danken auch an
die Menschen, die kommen, weil Sie bei uns die Freiheit, das Recht und die
Sicherheit finden, die Ihnen in Ihrem Lndern verwehrt werden.333
How Syrian refugees/asylum seekers reach Germany and the difficulties they experience
on the way is of great interest for the reader. KSTA explained in an article on the illegal
ways that refugees/asylum seekers in general and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in
particular inviting the reader to sympathize with them; to use the cinema of the mind, and
to imagine themselves in such dreadful situations.
Doch der gefhrlichste Teil der Reise liegt hinter ihnen. In Syrien wird der Bus, in
dem die Familie unterwegs ist, an unzhligen Checkpoints angehalten [...] Aus
Beirut erreichen sie spter Anrufe einer Schwgerin die freudig erzhlt, nun habe sie
schon einen ganzen Tag lang keinen Gefechtslrm gehrt.334
One local newspaper in the Free State of Saxony published an article against
refugees/asylum seekers and the building of new refugee camps in the region. This article
caused outrage among refugees/asylum seekers and the Germans. The article claimed that
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are ruining Germany and making the hosting communities
chaotic. Schsische Zeitung responded sympathetically to these claims.
Das ist menschenverachtender Zynismus! Es ging in dem Artikel darum, dass
Dresdner Hotels Plattenwohnungen mit Tischen, Betten und Sthlen versorgen,
damit dort Asylbewerber einziehen knnen. Sind sich die Journalisten dieser Zeitung
bewusst, was sie mit solchen Schlagzeilen anrichten? Sie besttigen Vorurteile und
verschweigen Zusammenhnge.335
Due to the huge numbers of asylum applications by Syrians, the decision making process
over the submitted application takes a long time. Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have to
wait like others for long period of time. KSTA reported on these issue of time showing
333Klner Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA) (24. December 2013): Deutsche Zu Mehr Hilfe Aufgefordert, p. 8.
334Ibid., Von Aleppo nach Aachen.
335Ibid., Das Ist Beschmend.

86

solidarity and calling out for making asylum procedures easier particularly for Syrians.
Die Verfahren fr Syrer, die inzwischen mit Prioritt behandelt werden.336
All this said, the analysis showed that there is great solidarity in the regional newspapers,
but the level of solidarity differes from period to period due to the conflict on the ground.
The analysis revealed too that solidarity is not directly stated for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers, it is expressed implicitly. Both newspapers show solidarity, but not in a similar
way as Klner Stadt-Anzeiger accentuated its solidarity more than Schsische Zeitung.

6.6 Germany versus Syria

Injustice is freuqently experienced by Syrian refugees/asylum seekers as they were
persecuted by the fighting parties in Syria; or due to the difficult circumstances in the
neighborhoods of Syria. The illegal trip to Germany is featured as a death trip to the
unknown. The analysis of regional newspapers found out several articles referring to the
precedent life of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and the new life in Germany. Both
newspapers represented Syria as perilous to its own people, while Germany is associated
wirh new peaceful shelter. How this peril is portrayed differs qualitatively along the years
of Syrian conflict. Regional newspapers highlighted the life of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in the country of origin outlining greater details in comparison with the new life.
SZ2 highlighted the war that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have had to experience
before arriving peacefully in Germany. The newspaper reported on Syrians sharing sad
stories about life in Syria and showing happiness and gratitude to Germany for being able
to live in peace in the country. Ein bisschen vom Krieg ist in Pirna eingezogen. Der Krieg
ist eigentlich in Syrien, aber jetzt ist er auch ein bisschen hier, auf dem Sonnenstein, in
diesem Wohnturm,337
Once more, SZ2 shed light on the brutality of Syrian war, and what Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers experienced in the Middle East. The newspaper compared the life
of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany to their previous life in Syria. The
comparison is depicted in details by contrasting the former life of a protagonist in Syria
and the new life in Germany.

336Karasu, Kristina, and Silke Offergeldb (5. April 2014): Warten Auf Zukunft. In: Klner Stadt-Anzeiger
(KSTA), p.1.
337Stock, Jrg (6. August 2013): Zwischen Hlle Und Paradies. In: Schsische Zeitung (SZ), p. 6.

87

Vor dem Anruf in seinem Elternhaus hat Paul H. jedes Mal Angst. Er frchtet sich
vor denen, die es vielleicht im Geheimen mit anhren. Dann knnte seine Familie zu
Hause womglich Probleme bekommen-wegen ihm. Sie lebt in Syrien, er in Dresden
[..] In Dresden lebt er nun in Frieden,338
Similarly, KSTA referred to the specificity of Syrian war and the persecution that Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers experience at home. The newspaper confirmed the barbarity of
the Syrian regime and the suffering of Syrians, and how these incongruous problems
influence them psychologically even when they are in Germany. The newspaper suggested
that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have in mind cruel and preserve thoughts. Therefore,
they believe that they are tantamount to the death sentence. Although that Syrian culture
resonates as culturally distant from Germany where there is no death penalty. In seinem
neuen Leben muss Farhan Mustafa erst einmal verdauen, dass es in Deutschland keine
Todesstrafe gibt.339
In another article, KSTA informed the reader on the psychological turmoil that Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers' children suffer from, even though; they are in peace in Germany.
The analogy between what they have experienced in Syrian war and the German peaceful
supportive effort is visible through the explanation why children suffering from
psychological problems and what effort are given to support.
Wenn Fatimat heute Hubschrauber ber ihrem neuen Wohnort in der Nhe von
Schkeuditz hrt, zuckt die 15-Jhrige zusammen und zittert. Aus Hubschraubern,
erzhlt sie, wurde in die Wohnviertel Aleppos geschossen. Ihr kleiner Bruder
Abdullah hat nachts oft geschrien und geweint und tagsber mit Soldaten Krieg
gespielt. Das wurde erst besser, seit der Junge das Brgerkriegsland unter dem
Despoten Baschar al-Assad verlassen hat und sich wieder mit Autos und anderen
Spielsachen beschftigt.340
Ironic comparison is presented in KSTA as a myopic portrayal of a Syrian refugee/asylum
seeker in Germany in contrast to Syria. The paradox is evident when a Syrian
refugee/asylum seeker feels wistfulness and experience nostalgia despite of the hostility in
Syria and peace in Germany. Die heillose Situation in ihrer Heimat schlgt den
Verwandten aber nach wie vor aufs Gemt, erzhlt Ahmad., Wir haben sehr viel Spa
338Ibid., Mit dem Kopf in Syrien.
339Ibid., Crashkurs Deutschland.
340Ibid.,Von Aleppo nach Schkeuditz.

88

miteinander, aber wir haben auch Abend, da heulen alle und haben furchtbares
Heimweh.341
The difference in comparison between Germany and Syria reveals a gradation of barbarity
that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers experienced in Syria before arriving safely in
Germany. Syria is tainted in implicit or explicit comparison with Germany. As the
newspapers focused on the dark side of Syria and the bright side of Germany. It is to admit
that no Syrian refugee/asylum seeker is stigmatized in Germany, whereas; they have no
right in Syria. Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany experience for the first time the
social system that stands for equality and justice. Not a sectarian society where
discrimination is practiced. There are no reinforcing culturally racist paradigms in the
regional newspapers against Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. The articles tackle the
brutality of Syrian war tending to inform the reader about Syrian war and why Syrians
have come to Germany. Furthermore, the newspapers aimed to inform the reader on how
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers feel in the new hosting societies. By glorifying the
German values and merits, both newspapers confirmed German superiority through the act
of accepting Syrians as refugees/asylum seekers demonstrating the generous German
cultural practice of inclusiveness and tolerance in contrast to the cultural practice of Syrian
regime.

6.7 Overall language of the articles

The analysis of the selected articles from regional newspapers viewed as mentioned ahead
that the articles of both newspapers are not only reflecting on the Syrian war and the
problematic situation of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but also provide a profound
description of the editorial board in regional newspapers. The editorial boards in both
newspapers were supportive throughout the Syrian humanitarian crisis by reflecting on the
daily life of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the relationship with the Germans. The
overall language of the articles contributes to the way the topics of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers were presented to the reader in the regional press coverage. They put ultimate
power to cover the topic of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Both newspapers were neutral
in tackling the topics from humanitarian and journalistic perspectives. The coverage of
Klner Stadt-Anzeiger is wider than in Schsische Zeitung, and attributed to the huge
341Keller, Thorsten (22. March 2014): Viel Spa, viel Lernen-und Abends Groes Heimweh. In: Klner
Stadt-Anzeiger (KSTA), p. 8.

89

differences in numbers of refugees/asylum seekers in both regions. KSTA focused on

several aspects regarding Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany, pointing to the size
of Syrian humanitarian crisis and the German support. Yet, Schsische Zeitung was
associated more with German regional events and was directly concerned with Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers only when the case had important news value for the reader, or
was directly associated with the region of the Free State of Saxony.
Regional newspapers tried to present Syrian refugees/asylum seekers neutrally, but could
not avoid the positive tone by expressing solidarity for them. Both newspapers depended
on extended description with details. Therefore, the used a language employed subsidiary
information to be more positive toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. This trend is
visible throughout the analyzed articles of this study, but it varies depending on the
importance of the news of Syrian war and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Both
newspapers introduced Syrian refugees/asylum seeker to the reader as: vulnerable,
exhausted, victims, hopeless, hopeful, new citizens, and in bad circumstances. Whereas,
Germans as: open, generous, and friendly. Negative prediction was present similarly, not
toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but toward Germans who expressed racism. This
trend is visible in regional coverage, but it varies in degree and quality depending on the
region, and the news concerning Syria and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the Middle
East in general and Germany in particular.
Regional newspapers tried to align the reader to the side of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers; by depending on factual sympathetic stories with humanitarian touches: refusal of
asylum request, desperate refugees, refugees reunited with their families, and Germans
helping Syrian refugees/asylum seekers through such a change in their lives. Moreover,
they carried strong appeals for

helping Syrian refugees/asylum seekers not only in

Germany, but also in the Middle East.

Within the structure of the articles, there are explicit referential and predication strategies
for reflecting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers along with the problems and negative
impact they have left on service section. This trend is prominent in Klner Stadt-Anzeiger,
whereas; it does not appear, as such on the Schsische Zeitung.
The difference in journalistic and editorial orientation of newspapers is visible. Klner
Stadt-Anzeiger based its coverage more on news reports. Yet, Schsische Zeitung focused
on issues of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in concern with citizens in the Free State of
Saxony. There is high frequency of uses of depictive language in both newspapers as a
90

trend. But it is more visible in Klner Stadt Anzeiger. Ein junger Tuareg aus der
Westsahara: 29 Jahre alt, trkisfarbene Pumphose, abgelatschte Flip-Flops, um den Kopf
ein lindgrnes Tuch geschlungen. Sein Englisch ist gewhnungsbedrftig, sein Lcheln
voller Hoffnung.342
The socio-cultural and political context of the events upon Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
along the four years of the analysis constitutes a different conclusion rule for the
interpretation of this

language. The use of the deep descriptive language is toward

visualizing the situation for the German reader. This technique is adopted for raising
solidarity for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers among readers. Regional newspapers like
national newspapers argue for more humanitarian supports for Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers, but in different social, cultural, and political aspects.

342Ibid.,Von Hmos nach Hemer.

91

7. Conclusion
The results of this research shows that German press bucks the trend. The national
newspapers focused mainly on string of stories that have official concerns and
perspectives, but that does not deny the fact that both newspapers-Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung and Sddeutsche Zeitung-reported neutrally and favorably on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in the direction of supporting them. Both precedent newspapers
quoted and paraphrased German government's officials, while focusing less on news about
Syrian refugees in Germany. This suggests that national newspapers contribute more to
German government's concern and the making of national level of widely applied
regulations in this matter. In spite of reporting about negative news and presenting more
issues of concern to German government, the national newspapers did report about Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers positively. On the other hand, the regional newspapers closely
reported on issues of interest to the local hosting communities and Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers alike. Both newspapers-Klner Stadt-Anzeiger and Schsische Zeitung-were
concerned with the interaction between Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and hosting
people. The regional newspaper discussed policies in the context of regional concern.
Regional newspapers are judged to represent good practice in reporting as they have
handled this topic sensitively, but in a positive tone taking in consideration the
humanitarian dimension of the Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, and the challenges they
have brought with to the hosting regions. The following diagram list the findings obtained
from the codebook in direction of favorability of newspapers toward Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers by giving an insight of how both national newspapers and
regional newspapers represented Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to the reader during the
interval of this analysis.
70
60
50

58,97

56
42,5

40

33,33

30
20
10

2,56

1,5

0
Favorable

Unfavorable

Neutral

92

National Newspapers
Regional Newspaper

The following numbers are obtained from the codebook in direction of the research by
giving an insight of how favorable both national newspapers and regional newspapers in
presenting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to the reader. (58,97) percent of national
articles were found favorable toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but that does not
deny the fact that national newspapers were slightly unfavorable toward Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers by explicitly or implicitly criticizing and commenting on them.
(2,56) percent of the coded articles were considered negative toward Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in national newspapers based on the standards of the applied
codebook. Similarly to national newspapers, regional newspapers were positive and
negative toward Syrian reugees/asylum seekers. The coded articles from regional
newspapers showed that (42,5) percent from regional articles were in favor of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. Yet, (1,5) percent of regional articles were not in favor of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. The rest of the articles from both models of newspapers were
coded and listed either, as neutral or unrecognized by the researcher.
From these results, can be cleared that different views are given the same space on the
platform for helping to promote different sources and views. There is no urge expressed by
national or regional newspapers to generically link Syrian refugees/asylum seekers to
crimes, social problems, and economic problems. Support and Sympathetic reporting on
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers is outweighed by belief in their contribution to Germany's
economy and culture. Inflammatory, extreme and fear including language is avoided by
national and regional newspapers and articles are well-sourced with many photographs of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the articles. (48,7) percent of national articles and
(33,33) percent from regional articles were supported with several photos in different sizes
in order to support Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Considering the first research question of the study: How Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
are presented in the German print media? based on the selected four newspapers
definitely represented Syrian refugees/asylum seekers positively by including sympathy,
solidarity, shedding light on their life, reporting about their disasters, criticizing the limited
supports, and calling upon extra-support. Beside these main trends, shorter news articles
and reports with corresponding topics of concern for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are
very present. Yet, with the interval of analysis, a strong dependency toward supporting
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers is discernible in the German print. This tendency can be

93

defined as a common phenomenon among the editorial boards of the newspapers, because
it reflects the daily sympathetic editorial practice of the four newspapers.
This research reveals that German print media is balanced and accurate in reporting
positively on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers. Any claim that German print is biased or
negative in reporting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers has not been proven. German
newspapers employed good and various forms of coverage to inform the reader on the
Syrian crisis at first and then the newspapers follow up with details regarding Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in neighboring countries of Syria before moving to the issues of
Syrian refugees in Germany. This technique is present in each article of the four
newspapers.
The news reporting of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers was not limited to extraordinary
news, as the coverage appeared frequently even when the news of minimum importance
about the Syrian conflict and the humanitarian crisis of Syrian refugees, but the appearance
of news differs along the years of the Syrian humanitarian crisis.

60
50

48,48

41

35,89

40

37,87
Regional Newspapers
National Newspapers

30
20,51
20
10
2,56
0
2011

13,63

2012

2013

2014

(2,56) percent from national articles appeared in 2011, (20,51) percent appeared in 2012,
(35,89) percent appeared in 2013, and (41) percent appeared in 2014. Whereas, (13,63)
percent of regional articles concerning Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
appeared in 2012, (35,89) percent appeared in 2013, and (37,87) percent appeared in 2014.
But that does not contradict the fact that all the analyzed articles stick to events of news of
value to the reader at first, and the Syrian refugee/asylum seeker at last. The language of
the newspapers is very neutral and positive in general, but tiny number of articles carry
negative implication particularly when the newspapers focused on the German effort and
94

the German generosity, or when the newspaper in ironic tone commented on Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. This is visible more in national newspapers; (5,12)
percent from the selected articles from national newspapers had negative implication. Yet,
this number is smaller in regional newspapers (1,51) percent from the selected regional
newspapers.
The overall differences between the four newspapers lies in the various ideologies at
editorial work flow of the newspaper. There are certain discursive discrepancies due to the
format of the newspaper. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung employed more referential and
predicational strategies rather than argumentative ones in reporting about Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. On the other hand, Sddeutsche Zeitung employed
argumentation techniques followed by predication and discussions. This trend is very
blatant in Sddeutsche Zeitugn as the newspaper is more in favor of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in comparison to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
In the regional newspapers, there is little generalization, categorization and labeling
process. This is visible in Klner Stadt-Anzeiger's categories. Schsische Zeitung is more
simple and explicit in its categorization and strategies in reporting about Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers. The approach of Schsische Zeitung is more sophisticated than
Klner Stadt-Anzeiger and more populist.
This research applied a pragmatic process of qualitative content analysis as a method of
analyzing the selected data collected from the four newspapers. The coded articles
illustrated how national and regional newspapers dealt with the topic of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany. The applied codebook demonstrated that German
newspapers are positive toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but there is a level of
contrasts and contradictions in covering Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
between national newspapers and regional newspapers. These contradictions are both
complex, and sophisticated, incorporating negative and positive notions relating to Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany, and the social, political, economical consequences,
which they have created in the hosting communities. National newspapers seem to have
more reservation in reporting on Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but they do not create,
nor do they introduce common negative attitudes to the reader. Yet, regional newspapers
are more reflective on issues concerning Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, but on regional
level.

95

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112

Appendix
Nr.1:

Category system of the codebook

Nr.2:

Interviews

Nr.3:

Correspondence

Nr.4

Overview of articles

Nr.5

Declaration

113

1 Category system of the codebook

Variables, categories and their identifiers
V01 Medium
1=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)
2=Sddeutsche Zeitung (SZ1)
3=Klner Stadt Anzeiger (KSTA)
4-=Schsische Zeitung (SZ2)
V02 Date of publication
DD.MM.YYYY e.g. 01.12.2013
V03 Timeframe
The division is made by the year according to the political situation in Syria. For example
the period from 15.03.2011 is the date of the beginning of the conflict in Syria. It is
abbreviated to (Y1-2011)
1-Beginning of the conflict in Syria=Y1 2011.
2-Syrian conflict expands and frequent attacks on civilians forced people to flee=Y2 2012.
3-The appearance of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) intensifies conflicts in Middle
East= Y3 2013.
4-The continuous violence turns into sectarian war and leads to increase in numbers of
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in the world= Y4 2014.
V04 Page number
The number of the page the article is found on.
V05 Length of the article
1=0-300 Words
2=301-600 Words
3=601-900 Words
4=901-1200 Words
5=1201 and more
V06 Size of the article
1=Cover page
2=Full page
3=Several pages
4=Half page
5=Quarter page
6=1/8 Page
7=1/16
Note: If the article is not clear in one corner, then the allocation goes by the bigger part of
the article. Variable (2) is marked if the article takes visually over half of the page.
114

V07 Genre
1=News
2=Report
3=Reportage/panorama
4=Interview/portrait
5=Commentary/opinion
6=Feuilleton
7=Editorial
8=Reader's Letter
9=Front page
10=Politics
11=Culture
12=Economy
13=Local news
14=Foreig news
15=Sport
16=Art/feature/review
17=Other/not defined
Note: If the article could be allocated by the content in two categories, the allocation still
follows how the newsroom has placed the article. For instance, mainly culture story found
in political page vice verse would be noted according the newsroom's allocation. The
allocation shows to some extent the significance of the news. The vairables (1) and (2)
stand for hard news and facts. If the genere is not clear than the article is set as other/not
defined (17)
Presentation/Visualization
V08 Is there a photo?
1=No photo/no visualization
2=Small photo (ca.7x4) in (continous text)
3= Big photo (ca.14x8) as (header)
4= More than one photo (header and small photo) in continous text
5=Other visualization: caricature
6=Other visualization: graphic

115

V09 If there is a photo, what is illustrated?

Many answers are possible.
1=Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
2=Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle East, Africa, Europe)
3=German politicians with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
4=German politicians with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle
East, Africa, Europe)
5=German citizens with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
6= German citizens with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle
East, Africa, Europe)
7=Syrian conflict
8=Syrian cities
9=German cities
10=Refugee camps/non-Syrian refugees-asylum seekers
11Others
12= No illustration
Note: Concerning the Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, there are articles on
refugees/asylum seekers in Germany and Syrian refugees/asylum seeekrs are mentioned in
the context of the article. Here the variable number (1) will be assigned to the photo
description.
V10 If there is a photo, how is it aligned?
1= Pro Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
2= Contra Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
3= Pro German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
4= Contra German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5=Neutral photo/not explicitly recognized
6= No photo/no graphic/non-alignment
Note: As pro Syrian refugee/asylum seekers, it describes the vulnerable situation of Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in order to shed lights on the size of the humanitarian crisis and
raise sympathy for them among readers.
V11 The caption of the photo
Multiple answers are possible
1=Quotation from Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
2=Quotation from German governement/politicians
3=Quotation from German citizens
4=Facts/data/reference to circumstances of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5=Number of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers

116

6=Syrian conflict
7=The citation describes the photo
8=Commenting citation (evaluation is included)
9= Not recognizable/other
10= No citation/no caption
Note: Variable (6) menas that the citation is associated with the Syrian war and its effect
on civilians who have become refugees/asylum seekers and variable (8) means that the
editorial board commenting or evaluating the situation.
Headlines
V12 Concepts in the headlines
1=Syrian Refugees/asylum seekers
2=Syria/Syrian
3=Germany
4=Support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5=Protest/demonstration
6=Arguments/debate
7=Syrian humanitarian crisis /Syrian conflict
8=Victims/civilians
9=Injuries/damage
10=Syrian politicians
11=German humanitarian aids/German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
12=German government/politicians
13=Danger/dangerous areas/refugee inhabited areas/refugee camps
14=Refugees/asylum seekers (non-Syrian refugees/asylum seekers)
15=Others
V13 Does the headline include a quotation?
1=Yes
2=No
V14 If yes, who is quoted?
1=Syrian refugee/asylum seeker/Syrian citizen
2=German gouvernement/politician
3=German citizen
4=German activist
5=Others
6=No quotation

117

Note: Variable (4) means an activist who is supporting refugees in general and Syrian
refugees/asylum seekers in particular.
V15 The tone of the headline
1=Pro Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
2=Contra Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
3=Pro German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
4=Contra German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5=Neutral/not explicitly recognized
Note: Variable (1) is considered when the headline is sympathetic toward Syrians in
general and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in particular. Whereas, the variable (2) is
applicable when the headline is against Syrian refugees/asylum seekers or criticizing
Germany for hosting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers.
Orientation/Inclination of the Article
In which form Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are presneted to the reader?
V16 Which actors are taken into consideration?
Many answers are possible.
1=Syrian refugee/asylum seeker/Syrian citizen
2=German government/politician
3=German citizen/employee/employer/aid worker
4=German activist/volunteer/German supporter
5=Both German government and Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
6=Others
V17 How is the German support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers described?
1=Positive
2=Negative
3=Neutral
4=Other/unrecognizable
5=Not mentioned
Note: Under the variable (1) comes concepts how German government is engaged with
Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and how Germany offers them humanitarian support.
Variable (2) comes the critics against German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers in a way that calling for stopping hosting them or limiting the support.
V18 How Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are described?
1=Positive
2=Negative

118

3=Neutral
4=Other/unrecognizable
5=Not described
Note: As positive description certain terms are used to introduce Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers to the reader. For example, positive-deutlich mehr syrische Flchtlinge zu nehmenand-Diese Zahl sind allerdings sehr gering-variable (2) negative terms come in the context
negatively for instance-Wirtschaftsmigration and Keine Neuankmmlinge mehr
aufzunehmen.
19 V Are the reasons behind the Syrian humanitarian crisis mentioned?
1=Yes
2=No
20 If yes, on which position?
1=1.Third of the article
2=2.Third of the article
3=3.Third of the article
4=No reasons are mentioned.
V21 Favorability of the article
Favorability of the articles toward Syrian refugees/ asylum seekers
1= favorable: no critique, only favorable description, facts or characterisation are
presented.
2= Slightly favorable: some critiques, slight favorable description, facts, examples are
presented.
3= Neutral: both favorable and unfavorable information (description, facts, information),
the tendcy of the article is not clear manifisted.
4= Slightly unfavorable: predominantly unfavorable description, characterization or facts
are presented.
5=Unfavorable: only unfavorable description, characterization or facts presented.
6=Emotional wording/sympathetic language
7= Other/no Favorability
Note: Facts, characterisation, and description tend to refelct a tone in the article chosen
either by the journalist or the source. This point gives the topic certain connotation. In case
the article calls for more support for Syrian refugees/asylum seekers, it is considered as a
favorable article. On the other hand, shedding the light on the accomodation and the
problem that Syrian refugees/asylum seekers have casued can be consided clearly as a
negative point. The evaluation is based on the tone of the whole article. The variable (1)
and (2) and (4) (5) are to be chosen only if a clear tendency is visible. In case of doubt
variable (3) will be assigned.

119

V22 Main character in the article

1= Syrian refugee/asylum seeker in Germany
2= Syrian Refugee/asylum seeker outside Germany
3= Refugees in general
4= Germans supporting Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5= German employees/employers
6= German volunteers/NGO's workers
7= German politicians/parliament members
8= Neighbors/local residents
9=Children/pupils
10=Youngsters/students
11= Other/unrecognizable
Citation
V23 Who is quoted in the article (direct and indirect citation)
Many answers are possible
1=Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
2=Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle East, Africa, Europe)
3=German politicians with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
4=German politicians with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle
East, Africa, Europe)
5=German citizens with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany
6= German citizens with Syrian refugees/asylum seekers outside Germany in (Middle
East, Africa, Europe)
7=German activist/neighbours/employee/employer
8=Others
9=No citation
Note: When German politicians with other politicians talk about the Syrian crisis and the
need for urgent actions for stopping the humanitarian crisis variable (3) is applicable here.
When German politicians with other politicians outside German holding meeting and
discussing the Syrian humanitarian crisis variable (4) is applicable here.

120

V24 Art of the citation

Many possible answers
1=Pro Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
2=Contra Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
3= Pro German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
4= Contra German effort toward Syrian refugees/asylum seekers
5=Neutral citation
6= Not recognized
Note: The understanding of the selected text depends on the linguistic skills of the
decoder. In case, the language is not clear or ambiguous the text is passed to the second
decoder-German native speaker-to avoid any misunderstanding.
V25 Which resources (data and numbers) the citation relies on?
Many possible answers
1=Syrian refugees and asylum seekers/ activists/German Syrian/
2=Residents/civilians
3=German/govermental organizations/German authorities/NGOs
4= Government/senate/mayor
5=Politician/parlament member
6=News agencies/journalistic sources
7=Other resources
8=No resources are mentioned
Note: The category focuses on the figures of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers in Germany,
for instance, how many Syrians apply for an asylum in Germany? Where are the
refugees/asylum seekers based? What are the concrete numbers of Syrian refugees/asylum
seekers/housing units in certain region.
Language and Argumentation
Which factors are quoted and in what manners?
Note: in this case, the citation must be evaluated how is it introduced to the reader. Is it rewritten by the author? For instance:-Ein Syrer sagt-, is the citation has been exaggerated or
compressed in unemotional/emotional language?-Ein Flchtling emprt sich.
V26 How the Statements of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers are formulated?
1=Positive (promising, recommending, hoping, wishing, praising)
2=Negative (threatening, criticizing, angry, forbid)
3=Neutral (reporting, saying, announcing, meaning, believing)
4=Not quoted
Note: here should the prevailing impression be evaluated. If the embodiment is not clear,
variable (4) is chosen.

121

V27 How the statements of German government/politicians are formulated?

1=Positive (promising, recommending, hoping, wishing, praising)
2=Negative (threatening, criticizing, angry, forbid)
3=Neutral (reporting, saying, announcing, meaning, believing)
4=Not quoted
Note:Here should the prevailing impression be evaluated. If the embodiment is not clear,
variable (4) is chosen.

122

1.1 Decoded articles from national newspapers

V 1

1 2

26.10.11

3 4 5 6

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

1 6 3 5 10 6 11 10 7 10 2

2 2 22.08.2012 2 1

2 5

10 1

12

10

3 1 05.09.2012 2 6 3 4 10 2 11

4 2 05.09.2012 2 9 2 6 10 1 11

6 10 2

5 1 17.10.2012 2 4 3 7 10 1 11

6 10 1

6 1 31.10.2012 2 2 2 3 10 1 11

6 10 2

3 11 3

7 2 12.11.2012 2 6 4 4 10 3

8 14 2

8 1 25.08.2012 2 5 2 6 10 1 12

6 10 12 1

9 1 28.08.2012 2 1 3 3

1 12

6 10 2

10 1 30.01.2013 3 1 2 3 14 1 12

6 10 1

11 1 16.04.2013 3 5 2 7 10 1 12

6 10 10 1

12 1 25.04.2013 3 6 3 5 10 6

7 13 1

1 11 8

13 2 03.05.2013 3 8 4 5 10 3

14 2 12.08.2013 3 6 4 5 10 1 12

6 10 1

15 2 04.09.2013 3 7 2 5 10 3

4 10 2

3 11 3

16 1 12.09.2013 3 6 2 7 10 2

17 2 21.09.2013 3 11 4 5

18 1 01.10.2013 3 4 5 4 10 3

19 2 08.10.2013 3 9 2 6 10 1 12

6 10 2

20 1 12.10.2013 3 6 3 6 10 2 11

21 2 27.11.2013 3 6 2 7 10 1 12

6 10 1

7 11 3

22 1 20.12.2013 3 5 5 4 10 4

23 2 27.12.2013 3 5 3 4 10 2

24 2 31.01.2014 4 2 4 4

25 1 25.02.2014 4 3 5 4

26 2 01.03.2014 4 11 4 4

27 2 14.03.2014 4 10 2 7

28 2 28.04.2014 4 7 3 5 10 3

7 12 2

29 2 15.05.2014 4 8 2 7 10 1 12

6 10 1

30 2 17.05.2014 4 14 5 4

5 11

9 15 2

31 2 19.05.2014 4 9 5 4

2 11

32 2 31.05.2014 4 6 3 4 10 1 12

6 10 2

7 11 3

33 2 12.06.2014 4 6 2 7 10 1 11

6 10 1

34 1 14.07.2014 4 4 5 4 10 3

7 15 2

35 1 18.07.2014 4 7 3 6 17 4

36 1 19.07.2014 4 4 2 6 10 1 12

6 10 14 2

37 2 25.07.2014 4 3 5 4

4 10

38 1 29.10.2014 4 5 3 4 10 4

123

39 1 24.11.2014 4 9

4 5 14 4 8

124

11 8

1.2 Decoded articles from regional newspapers

V 1

3 4

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

1 3 21.07.2012

2 15

11

2 4 21.08.2012

6 13

12

10

3 3 29.08.2012

5 13

12

10

4 3 6/7.10.2012 2 6

5 10 2 11 5

11

5 3 09.10.2012 2 4

6 3 11.10.2012 2 8

7 13 1 12 6 10 14 2

11

7 3 29.10.2012 2 8

7 14 2

8 3 12.10.2012 2 26 2

5 13 1 12 6 10 14 2

9 3 16.11.2012 2 6

6 10 1 12 6 10 1

10 3 26.03.2013 3 1

1 12 6 10 1

11

11 3 16.04.2013 3 1

1 12 6 10 1

12 3 16.04.2013 3 25 2 4 13 2 10 5

7 14 2

13 4 06.08.2013 3 6

4 10 3

14 3 24/25.08.20 3 2
13

4 14 4 11 5

11

15 4 11.09.2013 3 6

4 10 3

16 3 11,09.2013 3 2

4 17 1 12 6 10 1

17 3 13.09.2013 3 6

4 10 3

7 15 2

11

18 3 14/15.09.20 3 33 3 6 13 4 10 5
13

7 15 2

19 3 17.09.2013 3 13 2 5 3

5
3

2 11 5
4 10 5

2
1

7 14 2

11

20 4 19.09.2013 3 17 3 4 16 3

21 3 20.09.2013 3 31 1 5 13 1 12 6 10 13 2

22 3 25.09.2013 3 7

23 3 25.09.2013 3 7

1 12 6 10 10 2

24 3 01.10.2013 3 1

5 13 1 12 6 10 14 2

11

2
4

25 3 01.10.2013 3 23 1 4 13 2 10 5

4 14 2

26 4 15.10.2013 3 6

4 10 2

27 4 18.10.2013 3 5

4 10 2 10 5

9 14 2

11

28 3 04.11.2013 3 5

5 10 2 11 5

29 4 11.11.2013 3 1

30 3 07.12.2013 3 4

31 4 14.10.2013 3 3

4
4

1 12 6 10 3

1 12 6 10 1

4 12 2

32 3 29.11.2013 3 1

1 12 6 10 1

33 3 29.11.2013 3 6

7 10 1 12 6 10 11 1

34 3 05.12.2013 3 33 3 4 13 1 12 6 10 13 2

35 4 10.12.2013 3 1

1 12 6 10 1

11

36 3 7/8.12.2013 3 1

1 12 6 10 2

11

125

37 3 7/8.12.2013 3 7

5 10 2

38 3 24/25.12.20 3 1
13

39 3 14.12.213

3 8

11

1 12 6 10 14 2

7 10 1 12 6 10 11 2

40 3 27.12.2013 3 16 5 2 3

7 15 2

41 4 30.12.2013 3 20 3 4 11 2 11 5

7 15 2

11

42 3 09.01.2014 4 8

4 13 2 11 2

4 14 2

11

43 3 29.01.2014 4 1

1 12 6 10 14 2

11

44 3 29.01.2014 4 8

6 13 1 12 6 10 1

45 4 27.01.2014 4 17 3 5 13 3

46 3 11.02.2014 4 27 4 2 13 2 11 5

47 3 23.03.2014 4 8

4 13 4

7 15 2

48 3 05.04.2014 4 1

2 17 1 12 6 10 8

7 15 2

49 3 19/30.05.20 4 24 4 4 11 4
14
9

1
1
1

1
5

50 4 08.08.2014 4 1

1 12 6 10 14 2

11

51 3 16/17.08.20 4 8
14

6 13 1 12 6 10 14 2

11

52 4 20.08.2014 4 4

4 10 1

53 3 27.08.2014 4 3

5 17 1 12 6 10 14 2

11

54 3 18.09.2014 4 3

4 13 4 11 5

55 3 01.10.2014 4 4

1 12 6 10 7

56 3 14.10.2014 4 6

5 10 1 12 6 10 3

57 4 18.10.2014 4 3

2 17 3

58 3 22.10.2014 4 8

4 13 4 10 5

4 15 2

4 13 2

59 3 04.11.2014 4 18 3 2 8

2 10 5

4 14 2

60 3 06.11.2014 4 27 3 3 5

4 11 5

4 14 2

7 14 2

7 14 2

61 3 25716.11.2 4 25 3
014

2 13 4

62 4 27.11.2014 4 15 1

6 13 1 12 6 10 1

63 3 28.11.2014 4 6

4 10 2 11 5

64 4 17.12.2014 4 13 1

6 13 1

65 4 19.12.2004 4 27 2

4 12 2 11 5

8 15 2

66 3 20.12.2014 4 8

2 13 4 11 5

6 16 5
2

126

2 Interviews
2.1 Interview with a Syrian refugee/asylum seeker in Germany.
Note: The interviewed person spoke on the condition of anonymity. The interview is
conducted by the researcher.
Date: 20.12. 2014
Location: Gttingen in Lower Saxony.
Format: Face to Face
Researcher: Where are you from Syria?
Interviewee: I am from Lattakia1, but I grew up in Damascus.
Researcher: How old are you?
Interviewee: I am 25 years old
Researcher: What did you do professionally before you come illegally to Germany?
Interviewee: I used to work as an employee in Syrian Ministry of Tourism in Damascus
and at the same time I was studying translation in the open learning center at Damascus
university.
Researcher: To which ethnic/religious group do you belong in Syria?
Interviewee: I belong to the Arabs and I am Muslim Alawite
Researcher: When did you come to Germany?
Interviewee: I have arrived here in November 2014?
Researcher: Why did you live Syria?
Interviewee: I have finished my university studies, and they have addressed me to join the
fighting forces of the Syrian army. I am from the same ethnic group of Assad, but I do not
want to be involved in this conflict. Simply, I do not want to kill and be killed.
Researcher: Thank you very much
2.2 Interview with illegally arrived Syrian refugee/asylum seekers
Date: 20.12.2014
Location: Friedland in Lower Saxony
Format: Face to Face
Researcher: Where are you from Syria?
Interviewee: I am from Damascus.
Researcher: How old are you?
Interviewee: I am 22 years old
Researcher:What did you do professionally before you come illegally to Germany?
Interviewee: I was a student
1 Latakiyah is the principal port city of Syria, as well as the capital of the Latakia Governorate. In addition
to serving as a port, the city is the main human resource center for Assad's army as the majorities there
are Alawites.

127

Researcher: What did you study?

Interviewee: I studied Music at the Higher Institute of Music and Art in Damascus
Researcher: When did you come to Germany?
Interviewee: I have arrived here in December 2014?
Researcher: How did you come to Germany?
Interviewee: I bought in Beirut a fake Venezuelan passport, and I booked a flight from
Beirut to Caracas. The flight had a stop at Frankfurt International Airport. On board, I
threw my Venezuelan passport in the toilet and when I have arrived in Frankfurt for transit,
I handed my Syrian passport to German police and I have asked for the right of asylum in
Germany.
Researcher: Thank you very much
2.3 Interview with Syrian refugee/asylum seeker working illegally as a shopkeeper.
Note: The interviewed person spoke on the condition of anonymity. The interview is
conducted by the researcher.
Date: 15.03. 2015
Location: Bad Godesberg in North Rhine-Westphalia
Format: Face to Face
Researcher: Where are you from Syria?
Interviewee: I am from Qamishli.
Researcher: How old are you?
Interviewee: I am 21 years old
Researcher:What did you do professionally before you come illegally to Germany?
Interviewee: I was working in different jobs
Researcher: What did you study?
Interviewee: I studied only until intermediate school
Researcher: When did you come to Germany?
Interviewee: I have arrived here in April 2014?
Researcher: How are you employed right now?
Interviewee: I am here with my family, and I did apply for the right of asylum in
Germany, but unil now I have no feedback as we applied before in another EU country for
asylum and we gained there the refugee status. For that reason, our procedure takes long
time. I do work here in the shop as the owner is from Morocco. Most of our customers are
Arabs, so I do not need German. Furthermore, I have no work permission, but I thought to
work and make extra-money to support my family. In Germany there is no who check.
Researcher: Thank you very much

128

3 Correspondence
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2015 at 1:36 PM
From: sz.archiv@dd-v.de
To: ahmad.altayep@gmx.com
Subject: AW: AW: AW: AW: Keine Rckmeldung

Hallo Herr Ahmad Al Tayep,

unser Chefredakteur Uwe Vetterick sagt zu Frage 5:

Unsere Zielgruppe sind alle Menschen, die in Ost-Sachsen zuhause sind und gern
Zeitung lesen. Warum alle? Weil wir ein generalinterest-Titel sind.
Was die Geschichte betrifft, so hat eine Praktikantin aus der Zeitung Ihnen mal ein paar
Fakten kopiert.
Beste Gre
Dr. Ute Essegern
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 at 6:33 PM
From: sz.archiv@dd-v.de
To: ahmad.altayep@gmx.com
Subject: AW: AW: AW: Keine Rckmeldung

so you can use our special publications f.e. published 13 th april 1996 and 2006,
you can order at the Deutsche Bcherei Frankfurt. There are publications about
our newspaper, you also can use genios.de.
As a student you should be able to make your own research in libraries and
databases to find out, what kind of newspaper we are f.e.
If you have up to 3 special questions I will answer you, but
With best regards,
Ute Essegern
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 at 3:10 PM
From: sz.archiv@dd-v.de
To: ahmad.altayep@gmx.com
Subject: AW: Keine Rckmeldung

Dear Mr. Al Tayep,

you can use the following internet sites for research. They
should answer most of your questions.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A4chsische_Zeitung
http://www.ivw.eu/print/quartalsauflagen/quartalsauflagen
http://www.ddv-mediengruppe.de/
If you have any further questions, please dont hesitate to
contact us again.

129

130

-"BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de> schrieb: ----An: <ahmad.al-tayep@dw.de>

Von: "BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de>
Datum: 12.01.2015 11:51
Betreff: Your inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Dear Mr. Al Tayep,
with pleasure I send to you the figures of 2011. They find them in the following table.

20 Janu
11 ar

151

Febru
ar

Mr Apr M
z
il
ai

Ju
ni

Jul Augu
i
st

160

176 172 23 18 20 311

6 7 5

Septemb
er

Oktob
er

Novemb
er

Dezembe
r

301

215

279

210

Dear Mr. Al Tayep,

thanks for your E-Mail. I help for you with pleasure, as far as I am able to do it.
In the overview you find the separately monthly figures of the Syrian refugees who have made an
asylum application in Germany.

Januar Februar Mrz April Mai Juni Juli August SeptemberOktoberNovemberDezember

2012 204

233

165

241

362 388 608 680

2013 1.060 711

552

691

2014 1.637 1.757

745

879

997

588

728 734 999 1.021 1.273

1.629

1.461

971

1.677 1.676 2.421 2.608 3.527 3.308 4.187

4.929

5.101

----

Unfortunately, I can recommend you the only following links. We have currently no studies or results of
the research to Syria.
http://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Publikationen/Herkunftslaenderinformationen/syrien-201208.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=search&query=syria+&x=0&y=0
http://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Meldungen/DE/2013/20130617-aufnahme-syrien-

131

unhcr.html;jsessionid=EC53B8177604D792C91BEBFD42CC7C2F.1_cid359
I hope, I could help you. Have a nice weekend.
With kind regards
-----"BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de> schrieb: ----An: <ahmad.al-tayep@dw.de>
Von: "BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de>
Datum: 08.01.2015 12:43
Betreff: Your inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Dear Mr. Al Tayep,
Thank you very much for your inquiry. Please find the answers regarding
your questions below.
1-When did the first Syrian refuge arrive in Germany.
Unfortunately, we have no statistics, when the first Syrian refugee has come to Germany.
2- In which Bundesland are the most Syrian refugees located?
In the following statistics you find the Syrian refugees in the single federal states.

Bundesland

Anzahl

Baden-Wrttemberg

1.462

Bayern

3.265

Berlin

1.064

Brandenburg

716

Bremen

563

Hamburg

1.093

Hessen

1.048

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

582

Niedersachsen

2.214

Nordrhein-Westfalen

4.188

Rheinland-Pfalz

1.345

Saarland

624

Sachsen

455

Sachsen-Anhalt

830

132

Schleswig-Holstein

1.776

Thringen
Insgesamt

746
21.971

3-How many Syrian refugees are in Germany until the end of 2014?

Unfortunately, I can inform you only of the figures to 30. 11. 2014 because an actualisation of the
foreign central register in runs of the month occurred.
To 30. 11. 2014 21. 971 Syrian citizens had an permission to reside. Refugees receive an
permission to reside when they have made an asylum application, but
have still received a decision.
4-How most of the refugees come to Germany? The number of legal and illegal Syrian
refugees in Germany until the end of 2014.
In Europe there are no border checks. Thus the Federal Office of Migration and Refugees grasps
only the Syrian refugees who have contacted here Asylum-seeking or are about a visa or the
quota refugee in Germany
I hope, I could help you something.
Best regards,
Mit freundlichen Gren
Sindy Hoppe
Bro des Prsidenten
Presse/ffentlichkeitsarbeit
Bundesamt fr Migration und Flchtlinge
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nrnberg
Tel.: +49 (0)911 943-4613
Fax: +49 (0)911 943-4699
E-Mail: sindy.hoppe@bamf.bund.de
Internet: www.bamf.de
www.wir-sind-bund.de
----Weitergeleitet von Ahmad Al Tayep/BN/DWD am 27.02.2015 10:49 ----An: <ahmad.altayep@dw.de>
Von: "BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de>
Datum: 27.02.2015 08:10
Betreff: WG: Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Dear Mr Al Tayep

Please find below the requested data regarding the distribution of Syrien asylum seekers in the
16 German federal states. Please note that this does not equal the distribution of Syrian
nationals in Germany. The following data includes Syrian asylum seekers in the year 2014 (it does
not include Syrian asylum seekers from previous years)

133

Federal State

Jan. Dec. 2014

Baden-Wrttemberg

3128

Bavaria

5611

Berlin

1507

Brandenburg

1149

Bremen

1262

Hamburg

1464

Hesse

2889

Lower Saxony

4035

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

1001

North Rhine-Westphalia

7280

Rhineland-Palatinate

2361

Saarland

1724

Saxony

1279

Saxony-Anhalt

1433

Schleswig-Holstein

2141

Thuringia

1443

Best regards
Katrin Hirseland
________________________
Head
Press Officer
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nuremberg, Germany

134

Telefon: +49 (0)911 943-4601

Fax: +49 (0)911 943-4699
E-Mail: pressestelle@bamf.bund.de
Internet: http://www.bamf.de

http://www.wir-sind-bund.de
=======================
An: "Ahmad Al Tayep" <ahmad.altayep@dw.de>
Von: "BAMF-Pressestelle" <Pressestelle@bamf.bund.de>
Datum: 04.03.2015 12:10
Betreff: AW: Inquiry Federal Office for Migration and Refugees 2011+2012+2013
=======================
Dear Mr Al Tayep,
Ms Hirseland ask me to answer your question about figures of Syrian asylum seekers from 2011 up
to 2013 in the German federal states.
Youll find the information in the following table :
Federal State
2011
2012
2013
Baden-Wrttemberg
159
690
1.260
Bavaria
289
769
1.852
Berlin
97
193
565
Brandenburg
78
142
179
Bremen

135

72
145
273
Hamburg
46
168
408
Hessen
73
521
905
Lower Saxony
53
100
217
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
798
1.362
1.633
North Rhine-Westphalia
908
1.922
2.430
Rhineland-Palatinate
190
528
816
Saarland
35
135
437
Saxony
83
243
387
Saxony-Anhalt
289
360
443
Schleswig-Holstein
143
368
616

136

Thuringia
122
282
421
In hope to could help,
Best regards
In Order
Anke Eckardt
________________________________
Bureau of the president
Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Frankenstrae 210, 90461 Nuremberg
Phone: +49 91 19 43 46 01
Mail: pressestelle@bamf.bund.de <mailto:Anna.Alig@bamf.bund.de>
Internet: www.bamf.de <blocked::file:///C:/Dokumente%20und
%20Einstellungen/n195/Anwendungsdaten/Microsoft/Signatures/www.bamf.de>

www.wir-sind-bund.de <http://www.wir-sind-bund.de/>

137

4 Overview of articles
4.1 Articles from national newspapers
ARTICLE

TITLE

MEDIUM

Weit Weg vom Folterknast

SZ1

Grn fordern Aufnahme von syrischen Flchtlinge

SZ1

Westerwelle fordert syrische bergangsregierung

FAZ

Aufruf zu mehr Einigkeit

SZ1

Mehr syrische Asylbewerber

FAZ

Heftige Luftangriffe in Syrien

FAZ

,,Die Menschen leben in Kfigen

SZ1

Debatte ber Syrische Flchtlinge

FAZ

Hollande:Wir wrden Regierung der syrischen Opposition

anerkennen

FAZ

10

Bericht ber weiters Massaker in Syrien.

FAZ

11

Arabi:Waffenruhe in Syrien wichtiger als Verhandlungen

FAZ

12

Wir mssen uns auf Massenevakuierungen vorbereiten

FAZ

13

Lager der Hilflosigkeit

SZ1

14

Deutschland nimmt Flchtlinge aus Syrien auf

SZ1

15

Vertriebene des Krieges

SZ1

16

Vorlufig angekommen

FAZ

17

Im Land der teuren Fhrerscheine

SZ1

18

Die ersten Schritte

FAZ

19

Friedrich will ber Flchtlinge beraten

SZ1

20

Hunger als Waffe

FAZ

21

Brokratische Hrden fr Flchtlinge aus Syrien

SZ1

22

Unerwnschte Gste im Armenhaus

FAZ

23

Sicherheit auf Zeit

SZ1

24

Die letzte Grenze

SZ1

25

Willkommen

SZ1

26

Ihre letzte Reise

SZ

27

Happy Ende in Dsseldorf

SZ1

28

Endstation Stacheldraht

SZ1

29

Deutsche Hilfe fr Syrer

SZ1

30

Kunst kann die Welt verbessern!

SZ1

31

Aggressiv umarmen

SZ1

32

Wahlen in Syrien

SZ1

138

33

Mehr Gastlichkeit fr Syrer

SZ1

34

Frieden auf 50 dreckigen Quadratmetern

FAZ

35

Apothekerin ohne Grenzen

FAZ

36

Zahl der Asylbewerber steigt um 60 Prozent

FAZ

37

Der Schiffbruch

SZ1

38

UN:Wir lassen die Flchtlinge aus Syrien nicht allein

FAZ

39

Mehr Grund, zu beten, als frher

FAZ

139

4.2 Articles from regional newspapers

ARTICLE

TITLE

MEDIUM

Krieg der Konfession

KSTA

Flchtlingsfamilie aus Syrien reist mit falschen Visa ein

SZ2

Zu wenig Platz fr Asylbewerber

KSTA

Moskau erreicht milderes Urteil gegen Syrien

KSTA

Eine Quote fr syrische Flchtlinge!

KSTA

Zusatzheim in Neuss fr Flchtlinge

KSTA

Von Homs nach Hemer

KSTA

Zwei Neubauten fr Flchtlinge

KSTA

Flchtlingspolitik Regierung will einfacheres Asyl fr Syrer

KSTA

10

NRW nimmt 1000 syrische Flchtlinge auf

KSTA

11

Deutschland nimmt Syrer auf

KSTA

12

Zu wenig Platz fr Flchtlinge

KSTA

13

Zwischen Hlle und Paradies

SZ2

14

Generation Flchtling

KSTA

15

Ankunft aus dem Kriegsgebiet

SZ2

16

,,Stndig werden neue Hrden aufgestellt

KSTA

17

Christen werden nicht bevorzugt

KSTA

18

Die Massenunterkunft kehrt zurck

KSTA

19

Neues Zuhause fr Kriegskinder

KSTA

20

Mit dem Kopf in Syrien

SZ2

21

Container fr Flchtling geplant

KSTA

22

Crashkurs Deutschland

KSTA

23

Container gegen Wohnheim-Mangel

KSTA

24

Erste Flchtlinge kommen nach Poll

KSTA

25

Flchtlinge mssen in Container

KSTA

26

Grund zum Schmen

KSTA

27

Von Aleppo nach Schkeuditz

SZ2

28

Flchtlinge einbeziehen

SZ2

29

,,In den Familien herrscht die pure Depression

KSTA

30

Tillich gibt Fehler bei Asylpolitik in Sachsen zu

SZ2

31

Endstation Abschiebung

SZ2

32

Deutschland soll mehr Syrer aufnehmen

KSTA

33

NRW mahnt humanitre Geste an

KSTA

34

Neue Unterknfte fr Flchtlinge

KSTA

140

35

Sachsen nimmt mehr syrische Kriegsflchtlinge auf

SZ2

36

NRW nimmt mehr Syrer auf

KSTA

37

Mehr Syrer nach Deutschland

KSTA

38

,,Flchtlinge willkommen heien

KSTA

39

Deutsche zu mehr Hilfe aufgefordert

KSTA

40

Von Aleppo nach Aachen

KSTA

41

,,Das ist beschmend

SZ2

42

Ungeliebte Herbergen

KSTA

43

NRW untersucht Contergan-Flle

KSTA

44

NRW will mehr Syrer aufnehmen

KSTA

45

Neue Heimat Dresden

SZ2

46

Elfjhrige als Dolmetscherin

KSTA

47

Viel Spa, viel Lernen-und abends groes Heimweh

KSTA

48

Flucht ins Nirgendwo

KSTA

49

Das Asyl-Verfahren

KSTA

50

Trume sind strker als Tyrannen

KSTA

51

Das Geschft mit Asylbewerbern in Sachsen

SZ2

52

Duisburg bringt Flchtlinge provisorisch in Zelten unter

KSTA

53

Wie viele Asylbewerber knnen wir aufnehmen?

SZ2

54

Die Unterknfte in Kln sind voll belegt

KSTA

55

Stdte fordern ein Sofortprogramm

KSTA

56

Schutzsuchende nicht willkommen

KSTA

57

Stdte senden Hilferuf an Bund und Lnder

KSTA

58

Drei Zimmer Sicherheit

SZ2

59

Mehr Geld und viel guter Wille

KSTA

60

Der Fremde nebenan ist kein Feind

KSTA

61

Roters will keine weiteren Flchtlinge

KSTA

62

Konzernzentrale als Notunterkunft

KSTA

63

Syrische Familie erhlt Morddrohung

SZ2

64

Grlitzer Kaufhausretter verbietet Benefizkonzert fr

Flchtlinge

SZ2

65

Morddrohung aufgeklrt:20-Jhriger ermittelt

SZ2

66

Zuflucht im Fachwerkhaus

KSTA

141

Eidesstattliche Erklrung
Name: Ahmad Al Tayep
Martikel-Nr.: 9020922

Erklrung (Einzelarbeit)

Ich versichere an Eides statt, die von mir vorgelegte Arbeit selbststndig verfasst zu
haben. Alle Stellen, die wrtlich oder sinngem aus verffentlichten oder nicht
verffentlichten Arbeiten anderer entnommen sind, habe ich als entnommen kenntlich
gemacht. Smtliche Quellen und Hilfsmittel, die ich fr die Arbeit benutzt habe, sind
angegeben. Die Arbeit hat mit gleichem Inhalt bzw. in wesentlichen Teilen noch keiner
anderen Prfungsbehrde vorgelegen.

Bonn
_____________
Ort

16.07.2015
_________________
Datum

_____________________
Unterschrift