How are digital media changing the social discourse on migration – ten years after Chancellor Angela Merkel's famous ‘We can do it’ statement in September 2015? This central question was the focus of the kick-off event of the planned new discussion series ‘Digital Future – Democratic Future,’ which took place on October 1, 2025, at the ECDF.
The event, organized by the ECDF, was chaired by Dr. Fabian Braesemann, associate researcher at the ECDF and lecturer at the University of Oxford. The invited keynote speaker was Austrian migration researcher PD Dr. Judith Kohlenberger from the Vienna University of Economics and Business. In her keynote presentation, Kohlenberger highlighted various aspects that shape the societal discourse on migration: societal fears, the reality at the EU’s external borders, connections to demographic change, and the influence of digital media and artificial intelligence on public perceptions of migration.
Kohlenberger addressed key aspects of the migration debate. In her keynote, she emphasized that despite declining asylum numbers and a seemingly regained “control,” there is no real easing of tensions in the migration discourse. Instead, the debate revolves around feelings of belonging, integration, and a perceived “overforeignization.” A narrative of “us vs. them” emerges, raising the question: “What defines us (as Germans)?” She argued that European migration policy is in a state of permanent crisis, characterized by what she called the “3D asylum policy”: deterrence, isolation and outsourcing.At the EU’s external borders, a “spectacle of sovereignty” is staged, where nation-states aim to demonstrate their capacity to act—with questionable effect.
Deterrence, she noted, works selectively: more educated individuals tend to seek alternative destinations, while less educated migrants are more likely to be discouraged due to a lack of options. This policy leads to displacement effects, a “race to the bottom” among EU countries, and ultimately to the erosion of European solidarity—a vicious cycle. It remains unclear how much the GEAS reform (e.g., through fair distribution or border procedures) can actually change. She was especially critical of European border policy, referring to it as a “policy of letting people die in the Mediterranean”and describing the current isolationist policy as a “hungry beast” that thrives on constant competition for harshness and further reinforces the narrative of ‘uncontrolled migration’. Today, migration acts as a crystallization point for societal tensions—intensified by the increasing pace of societal change, particularly around questions of identity. In addition, AI and fake news further fuel myths and half-truths about migration, such as through manipulated or AI-generated images.
Building on the themes introduced in the keynote, the second part of the event transitioned into a panel discussion featuring journalist Ebru Taşdemir (politics editor at der Freitag)and Wiebke Judith (legal policy spokesperson at PRO ASYL).Moderated by Fabian Braesemann, the panelists explored how media and public discourses on migration and displacement are formed, the role digital platforms play, and the responsibilities of academia, civil society, and the media to inform factually and empathetically without being one-sided.
All panel participants agreed that different perspectives and emphases need to be brought into the debate. Wiebke Judith stated: “I think it makes a difference to people whether we say: We want to be a diverse society, or: We have to be a diverse society. People will only truly advocate for this if they genuinely support that vision of society. And do all people in Germany still want a democratic and diverse society? That’s, of course, a very tough discussion.” Moderator Fabian Braesemann also asked for thoughts on the future outlook. Ebru Taşdemir responded that political communication is currently so negative that it sometimes “overwhelms” her: “I wish for a deceleration. We live in very fragmented media bubbles. In the past, there was a shared media reality. Nevertheless, I hope we can look to the future with optimism.”
The audience actively engaged with numerous questions and comments, highlighting the complexity of the topic: from the realities of integrating former refugees and the tensions between migration and demographic change, to how AI could affect both the discourse around migration and migration flows themselves. After the panel discussion, participants and attendees had the opportunity to continue the conversation informally over snacks and drinks—a clear sign of the strong interest in an open, informed dialogue between science and society on the pressing issues of our time.
Looking back at the well-attended event and the conversations it enabled, Fabian Braesemann expressed his delight at the wide interest it had sparked. This was reflected in the participation of representatives from a variety of organizations—from migration research institutes and civil society to university students. That the topic clearly resonated was also evident in the presence of several media representatives, and in the fact that Berlin-based press, including Berliner Zeitung, reported on the event.
The event marked the launch of a planned new ECDF event series entitled “Digital Future – Democratic Future,” which will explore the societal impacts of digitalization. Further events are already in planning.