Migration myths and imaginaries in the reception of television in Morocco
Migration myths and imaginaries in the reception of television in Morocco
Mitos e imaginarios migratorios en la recepción de la televisión en Marruecos
Lucía Benítez Eyzaguirre
Universidad de Cádiz
Abstract:
The analysis of the discourses of Moroccan candidates to migrate regarding the images offered by Western television shows a mythical imaginary of life opportunities in the North. Fieldwork1 done in Morocco during two years tried to gather varied information from 204 informers from cities as well as rural areas. The results were analyzed with the help of Atlas.ti, a qualitative software which allows for the creation of mental maps of the opinions and discourses of interviewees. In the process preceding the decision to migrate, candidates try to confirm the images seen on TV through social conversations and the experience of others, in a climate of collective euphoria. Moroccan migrants then move towards an imaginary and idealized place. The idea of mobility is systematically linked to the Western world and to quality of life, social capital and consumption –all of which become mythical elements in a reaction to what are seen as poor expectations offered by life in Morocco.
Resumen:
A través de los mitos de la migración se favorece los movimientos de mano de obra necesarios para la economía y también la percepción del fenómeno, el cual se consolida en construcciones legales, políticas y laborales. La distancia entre la producción televisiva y el contexto de la recepción se transforma en un espacio de mitos, ‘paisajes mediáticos’ e imaginarios sobre el Norte y la opulencia. Lo ‘imaginario’, como elemento de la comunicación y de la construcción de la realidad, es central en la globalidad porque organiza las relaciones, los horizontes y el impulso a la acción.
Keywords:
Imaginary; Television; Spain; Morocco.
Cómo citar:
Benítez-Eyzaguirre, L. (2013) Migration myths and imaginaries in the reception of television in Morocco, en Revista Index Comunicación, 3, 2, 175-194.
ISSN: 2174-1859
Recuperado de:
http://journals.sfu.ca/indexcomunicacion/index.php/indexcomunicacion/article/view/78/92