This paper examines how French media differentially portrays immigrants from different religious backgrounds using secularism as a tool. Analysis of 120 articles reveals that Muslim immigrants are depicted negatively, as invaders and subjects needing discipline, while Ukrainian immigrants (Orthodox Christian) receive a largely positive portrayal. This difference is attributed to the symbolic characterization of Catholicism versus Islam, facilitating exclusionary discourse against Muslim immigrants. The paper also discusses flaws in French media discourse and resulting policy dilemmas.

Wenlong Song, Bo Pang, Zihan Wang, Yilang Xu, Zetong Liu, Murong Tan