Promoting Evidence-Based Migration Discourse and Media Reporting in Thailand

  • Start Date
    2023
  • End Date
    2025
  • Project Status
    Active
  • Project Type
    Integration and Social Cohesion
  • Budget Amount (USD)
    300000.00
  • Coverage
    National
  • Year
    2023
  • IDF Region
    Asia and Oceania
  • Prima ID
    TH10P0626
  • Projects ID
    IS.0130
  • Benefiting Member States
    Thailand
With over 3.9 million migrant workers residing in Thailand, migration cuts across the country’s social and economic fabric. Migrants contribute immensely to socioeconomic development in Thailand, which hosts nearly half of all migrant workers in South-East Asia. Thailand’s ongoing economic growth and aging demographic, combined with instability and economic pressure in the region, will continue to drive migration to the country. Despite the prominence of migration in Thailand, journalists are often prone to misreporting on it. This became more visible during the pandemic, where a climate of fear from the public sometimes triggered misinformation and negative stereotypes against migrants. While migration is often front and centre in national news and debate, there are limited resources available to build the capacities of media professionals to report on such issues with stronger accuracy and depth. It is critical for the media to become as knowledgeable as possible on the subject, in order to report in a fair, balanced and ethical way. The project aims to foster evidence-based migration discourse and media reporting in Thailand through the roll-out of learning materials and capacity development initiatives. These include trainings-of-trainers, field visits, reporting grants and international exchanges which will strengthen the project’s sustainability and equip media stakeholders with the tools to build sustainable partnerships. Furthermore, through the implementation of campaigns promoting social cohesion, the project aims to increase positive attitudes and perceptions toward migrants among the Thai public. This is expected to foster stronger respect for their rights and combat discrimination, including gender-based discrimination, within their communities. Ultimately, the project will contribute toward a greater appreciation for diversity, allowing migrants the right to live and work free from all forms of discrimination.