JOURNALISM STUDENTS AND IMMIGRATION: AN ANALYSIS OF ATTITUDES AND DEONTOLOGICAL TRAINING

In 2009 Unesco determined that Universities not only have the responsibility to train more qualified professionals, but also more sensitive and committed specialist with the search for solutions to social problems. Under this premise, the Evaluation and Development Group of Teaching Methodologies in Communication of the University of Valladolid considered in 2017 the need to promote a critical reflection on the phenomenon of immigration among students of the Journalism degree. The article shows the results of the investigation carried in a first diagnostic phase of the project that consisted of a survey designed with the aim of analyzing the students' altitudes towards immigration, their assessment of their coverage by the media and their knowledge about the deontological norms referred to the approach of this phenomenon. The results express a strong polarization between those who consider immigration as excessive and understand that it represents a socio-labor problem, and those who consider it acceptable and appreciate the cultural richness it brings. In addition, there is a certain lack of knowledge from the students about fundamental issues in the informative treatment of immigration and the ethical recommendations available, which make it necessary to develop specific training and awareness plans.