Reflection in European media on the migration crisis against the backdrop of the debate about the "collapse of Western civilization"

The article is devoted to the analysis of the coverage of the migration crisis in European media against the backdrop of political, economic, and geopolitical transformations in recent years. The subject of the research is the European migration media discourse, which is being formed in the context of the rise of right-wing populism, the crisis of transatlantic relations, and the strengthening of nationalist sentiments. The main focus is on the representation of migrants, the interpretation of the migration crisis, and the relationship between media narratives and broader discussions about cultural identity, security, and the future of European democracy. The author examines the influence of political actors that contribute to the expansion of anti-immigration rhetoric, as well as the role of the media (both humanitarian-oriented and characterized by a restrictive approach) in shaping polarized views on the role and place of migrants. Special attention is given to the analysis of the discourse of right-wing populism, which includes ideas such as "cultural replacement" and "civilizational threat." Within the framework of the study, notable publications from leading European outlets (The Economist, The Guardian, Le Figaro, Der Spiegel, El País, Corriere della Sera, Daily Mail, BILD, etc.) are analyzed through discourse analysis. The coverage of the crisis is examined from the perspective of postcolonial theory and ideas of reparative justice. The analysis reveals that media narratives about migration are associated with representations of a "civilizational crisis," "institutional burden," and "threat to European identity." Depending on the type of publication, there are both alarmist and xenophobic narratives, as well as narratives linking the flow of refugees to the historical colonial influence of European countries in regions such as Africa and the Middle East. Particular attention is paid to the objectification of migrants in selected media, which contributes to the formation of their image as culturally and socially "alien," and may subsequently lead to the legitimization of stricter migration policies. The results of the study demonstrate that European media predominantly represent the migration crisis as an element of a broader systemic crisis of the West. The European information space largely reproduces views of migration as a factor of destabilization. The further development of this media discourse may significantly impact political processes in Europe, including changes in migration legislation that reflect the strengthening of protectionist tendencies and a rethinking of the role of migrants.