News Coverage of Irregular Migration Topics as Reflected on the Libyan News Agency Website from January 1 to July 31, 2025: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study aims to monitor the news coverage of irregular migration topics as reflected on the Libyan News Agency website during the period from January 1 to July 31, 2025. It explores the types of news genres, their stylistic formats and sources, the nationalities and countries of origin of migrants, their routes of entry into Libya, the methods employed by responsible authorities in dealing with them, the styles, types, and objectives of news coverage on irregular migration topics, the accompanying images, the consequences resulting from irregular migration, and the solutions and proposals presented by the relevant authorities. Among the most significant findings of the study is that the priority in publication was given to the news genre, accounting for 93.5%. The value of importance ranked highest among news values at 41%, followed by human interest at 27%. The Libyan News Agency website relied primarily on its own sources (30.7%), followed by the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency (25.6%). The highest percentage of migrant origin was classified as “unspecified” (23%), with a total of 3,031 migrants recorded during the study period. The second highest category was “various nationalities” at 10%. The proportion of migrants who were rescued reached 60%. Deportation ranked first among the methods of dealing with irregular migrants (34.6%), followed by rescue operations (16.6%). The highest percentage of human traffickers came from Bangladesh (34%), followed by Libyan traffickers (27.5%). The most prominent objective was maintaining internal security in Libya (39.7%), followed by promoting respect for laws (29%). The most notable styles of news coverage were the security and legal approaches, at nearly equal rates of 33% and 32%, respectively. The most serious consequence of irregular migration was forgery (35.8%), followed by smuggling (16.6%). The most important solutions implemented or proposed, according to the news coverage, were securing Libya’s borders (35.8%), followed by holding meetings and seeking solutions (18%).