False narratives about shrinking areas and migration? How the media can make a difference

This chapter provides an overview of types of narratives about shrinking areas on the one hand and migration on the other, showing the importance of media in stereotyping groups and areas. The authors show that narratives are often biased which does not help to stabilise the situation or create public support for hosting Welcoming Spaces. There is affirmation that countries within the EU reacted differently during the “refugee crisis” in 2015 and the mass displacement of Ukrainians in 2022. Meanwhile, at the grassroots level, there were genuine and spontaneous welcomes driven by strong feelings of compassion and solidarity, where a range of grassroots organisations acted autonomously.