Dataset | Human mobility messages on Telegram

This dataset comprises six sets of IDs of messages about human mobility shared on thematic Telegram public groups and channels. The themes of the groups and channels from where the messages were extracted: African continent, Climate action, Conspiracism, Iranian, Nationalism, Slovakian.

Messages were queried using TeleCatch, an Open Scource tool that enables visualizing, filtering, and extracting Telegram messages data and image files.

The keywords used to query Telegram grouops and channels and generate the datasets were: displacement, migrant, migration, diaspora, immigrant, emigration, “brain drain”, remittance, xenophobia, multicultural, border control, asylum, refugee, deport, “human traffic”, resettle, IDP, “border agency”, IOM, UNHCR.

The message ID provided by Telegram API is unique only for the group or channel where it was posted. For this reason, the dataset provides the message ID and the group and/or username (@). 

Technical info 

The Python script includes a functionality to identify the exclusion or blockage of Telegram groups and/or channels. In addition to generating the messages output file, the script produces a log file. This log file records the status of each Telegram group, providing insights into their current operational state.

Other info

This dataset was created during the 2024 Digital Methods Initiative Summer School for the Uncovering visual narratives about human mobility on Telegram project.

2024 Digital Methods Initiative Summer School URL: wiki.digitalmethods.net

This work was carried out with support from the CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience, ClimBeR, and the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration. We would like to thank all funders who supported this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund: cgiar.org.