The cost of Europe’s structural racism

Europe frames migration as a crisis—but this masks the reality of its aging population and skills shortages

European media frames migration as a crisis that must be stopped – focusing on dramatic events like small boats in the English Channel or shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. But this masks the reality, Europe’s population is aging, and its economies desperately need migrants to avoid decline.

For over 18 months, across 7 countries and with over 20 journalists we sought to answer – what is the true cost of Europe’s discrimination against migrants? And why are proposed solutions failing?

In this episode of Backlight, Beatriz and Tessa speak to two reporters from the investigation – Justin Yarga who led on the Sweden story and Justin Casimir Braun who led the data reporting.

Justin Yarga shares his experience of reporting on a story based on his own experience of migrating to Sweden and Justin Casimir Braun talks about how we got the data at the key of unlocking this story.

You can also listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa Pang
Sound design, mixing and editing: Spoovio – Audiovisual Productions