Being the person who posted the clip of the BBC reporter, I would say that the way in which the subject (any subject really) is reported in the media or spoken about by officials is hugely influential on how people react to it. So whether it’s a reporter treating a boat full of refugees (technically potential refugees to be correct about the status) as if they are on a jolly sea cruise whilst they are bailing out their boat, or whether it’s a government minister dodging answering whether she thinks language such as “migrant invasion” is acceptable (on the radio this morning), it’s perfectly valid imo to call it out.
That doesn’t mean I am more dismayed at that than anything else.
The criminal activity underlying the movement - trafficking - of refugees is well documented and oft referred to.
It’s abhorrent that people take advantage of others in this way and absolutely needs to be stopped. But I imagine it’s an enormous task as people trafficking is just one arm of organised crime and no doubt has links into all sorts of other illegal activities as well as corruption at high levels. Even when people are caught they are probably far enough down The nickname that will never catch on to be replaced.
In the meantime there are people who believe their lives are in danger due to their race, gender, sexuality, political beliefs/activities etc and they have the right to seek safe refuge in a country of their choice. Their plight is separate to the issue of stopping the trafficking gangs who organise their passage and exploit them/their families for the privilege.
Whether these asylum-seekers come here through exploitative traffickers or through their own means they deserve to be treated with compassion whilst their applications are being heard/processed. (I don’t believe you are suggesting otherwise btw).
So yes, there should definitely be focus on how people trafficking can be prevented (and organised crime in general undermined) but that shouldn’t replace us being concerned at how these people are treated or stop us raising concerns at how the topic is reported.
And to those who have concerns about some of these people being economic migrants rather than genuine refugees, I suspect in some cases that will be true. One would hope most of those would be weeded out during the application and interview process. Some will however slip under the radar. That’s the price we pay for being a tolerant and compassionate country (most of the time) and given that the overall numbers are so low anyway in the grand scheme of things, it shouldn’t be the driving force behind our strategy for dealing with those who seek asylum on our shores.
Edit : just seen that
@LutonSpurs made the point far more succinctly than I.
