One border, but two Polands? : examining Polish media discourse on the humanitarian crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border : a qualitative analysis

The chapter focuses on the complex legal situation of refugees residing near Poland and Belarus's border. Its scope is grounded on the assumption that language plays a crucial role in shaping the attitudes of the public and its perception of reality. Therefore, this chapter's primary objective is to critically analyse the Polish media discourse concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis that began in July 2021, a development which has been widely reported in the international press and has sparked deep debate and considerable disagreement. The chapter uses materials published in the most influential media outlets, including social media and the non-governmental initiative ‘Grupa Granica’ website, to conduct the analysis. Using qualitative analysis the chapter will identify the dominant narratives, evaluate the language used and demonstrate the evolution of the crisis from July 2021 to July 2023. Furthermore, the author examines the development of the rhetoric of fear surrounding refugees and the argumentation strategies used to prevent or exacerbate the escalation of anxiety.