In the context of the transformation of transport and mobility, (mass) media are assigned a key role: They not only express which transport modes and patterns of mobility are considered ‘normal’ or even ‘ideal’, but they also present perceptions and imagery of new and alternative forms of everyday mobility. In this way, (mass) media have a direct impact on transport policies and planning as well as on people's everyday lives in general. Based on this reading, this study focused on the following questions:
- How is everyday mobility portrayed in the media?
- To what extent does the media representation of everyday mobility reflect the desired transformation of transport and mobility?
To answer these questions scientifically, the study proceeded in three steps:
- First, a systematic literature analysis of 190 scientific studies in German and English served to review the current state of research on the media representation of everyday mobility.
- Next to this, a media analysis of five new and traditional entertainment formats from German-language production (among others ‘Tatort’ and ‘Köln 50667’) was carried out, which empirically explored the representations of forms of everyday mobility.
- Finally, ten interviews with selected media and mobility experts were conducted in order to contextualize the findings of the literature and media analysis.
Based on this, the present study offers a structured overview of a versatile as well as multidisciplinary and multisectoral field of research and practice that focuses on the intersection of media and everyday mobilities.
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