| Beschreibung: |
Currently, the number of refugees seeking asylum in Europe has risen to a height unknown for decades. The political and ethical situation is difficult - officials and citizens alike are torn between those arguing for a support of refugees and those driven by nationalistic fears. In a globalized, connected world, media play an essential role in this constellation: While shaping the image of Europe in refugee camps in the Middle East and Africa, media are also accountable for the impression of the refugee situation local European populations get. During the last months, a large amount of media coverage consisted of pictures of refugee groups arriving at shores or train stations, standing in front of camps or official buildings. All of the refugees shared one common feature: They held smartphones in their hands. This has been grist to the mills of right-wing nationalist movements boiling down to the blunt question: "Why should we give shelter to people who can afford expensive gadgets?" To counter this accusation, journalists have been trying to inform about the vital role of smartphones in other parts of the world and especially for a task as perilous as escaping regions shaken by war and terror. However, being a very recent phenomenon driven by the middle class exodus from Syria, there is a lack of studies researching the actual practices, challenges, and experiences in the use of personal mobile media technologies in escaping crisis regions. The project seeks to help building a body of knowledge by conducting qualitative interviews with refugees that have recently arrived in Austria. With one of the most important escape routes from the Middle East to Western and Northern Europe being the Balkan route, Austria and especially Vienna is currently a refugee hub permitting direct, first-hand engagement with people concerned. |