Transformation of the image of labor migrants in regional media based on materials from the online publication NGS.RU

The article examines the media image of migrant workers in the context of the personnel security of society and the state. The source of empirical data was the publications of the online publication NGS.RU (2011–2025), selected by the “labor migrant” tag. The dominance of the economic narrative (71%) was revealed, where migrants are represented as a labor resource characterized by elements of criminalization. Special attention is paid to the transformation of the image after the tragic events of March 22, 2024: the growth of criminal metaphors, increased depersonalization and a shift in emphasis from economic benefits to possible threats. Contradictions between positive assessments of the contribution of migrant workers to the region's economy and negative stereotypes that exacerbate social tensions have been identified. The options for possible humanization of media discourse, including the personification of migrant workers' stories, are considered.

Keywords: media discourse; migration; migrant image; regional media; tone of news reports.