Australian media's response to the end of indefinite detention: towards a rights-based treatment of people seeking asylum?

In late 2023, the end of indefinite detention in Australia marked a significant shift in immigration policy towards a rights-based treatment of people seeking asylum. Whilst the High Court's ruling was welcomed internationally, the domestic response was divisive; debated within the political and media spheres. Given the role media coverage of refugees and asylum seekers plays in informing the public, this research explores how asylum seekers were portrayed in Australian news media following the court's decision. Employing thematic analysis, this study examined 183 articles, published between 8 November 2023 and 29 February 2024. The dominant Australian media narrative was one characterising asylum seekers as criminals deserving of punishment, which was largely aligned with media publication ownership. This research demonstrates how Australia's highly concentrated media landscape reinforces negative portrayals of refugees and asylums seekers and how news media can misinform the public and undermine the rights of asylum seekers.