The Representation of Syrian Refugees in Canadian Online Media: A Focus on the Topos of Burdening

Background: This study focuses on the representation of Syrian refugees in Canadian online news media. It examines 375 articles selected from three of the most visited Canadian news sites, namely the Toronto Star, which favours the Liberal Party, and the Toronto Sun and National Post, which favour the Conservative Party. Analysis: The basis of this research is a topoi analysis, whereby instances of the topos of burdening are identified, examined, and categorized as either positive or negative. Conclusion and implications: A distinction is drawn between the depiction of Syrian refugees in conservative- and liberal-leaning news sources. The findings aim to provide some insight into the possible impact of media representation on both the Syrian refugees and the Canadian public. Contexte: Cette etude porte sur la representation des refugies syriens dans les medias d’information canadiens en ligne. Elle examine 375 articles choisis a partir de trois des sites de nouvelles canadiens les plus visites, a savoir le Toronto Star, partisan du Parti liberal, le Toronto Sun et le National Post, partisans du Parti conservateur. Analyse: Cette recherche se fonde sur l’analyse de topoi pour identifier, examiner et categoriser des topos sur les fardeaux comme etant positif ou negatifs. Conclusion et implications: Cette etude etablit une distinction entre la maniere dont les sources de nouvelles a tendance conservatrice depeignent les refugies syriens et la maniere dont les sources a tendance liberale le font. L’objectif est de mieux comprendre l’impact possible des representations mediatiques sur les refugies syriens ainsi que sur le public canadien.