Digital and Economic Vulnerability in a Documentary: ‘Corona, Sign of Poverty’

Abstract

This paper analyses the documentary film Armutszeugnis Corona [‘Corona, Poverty Sign]’, which exposes minority groups with migration backgrounds experiencing poverty affected most by the coronavirus pandemic in Germany. The documentary reveals how- (many) people experiencing poverty or people with low income were affected by the pandemic in a socio-economically developed post-migrant country. During the pandemic, people with low incomes who could not stay home were invisible to privileged people who could isolate themselves in their homes (offices) thanks to digital transformation opportunities. Also, there were language deficiencies for certain people with migration backgrounds in understanding the protective and preventive rules. Moreover, the law on protecting personal data under normal circumstances has integrative and inclusive qualities; however, it has had epistemologically negative consequences in identifying those affected during the pandemic. There were also specific media challenges with stereotypical and scapegoating discourses against people with migration backgrounds. According to the study’s findings, we preferred descriptive analysis; the documentary reveals problems such as unemployment, poverty, working in contact jobs, access to health services, the law protecting personal data, and various solution suggestions. Language deficiencies and income and digital transformation inequalities also show at least an experience for future crises. In conclusion, this documentary revealed that coronavirus is a sign of poverty and made the affected people visible at the (trans)-national public level. The digital transformation worked for white-collar workers in Germany during the pandemic. However, personal data and vulnerable communities need to be protected, which requires digital transformation