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Understanding Ethnic Media
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Understanding Ethnic Media
Producers, Consumers, and Societies



May 2010 | 336 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This is the first book to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of how media produced by ethnic communities, and for ethnic communities, affect identity and perceived lines of division between "us" and "others," as well as how the production and consumption of ethnic media affect the character of the larger media and societal landscapes.

Integrating key ethnic media studies with original research, this book makes a unique contribution by covering both consumers and producers of ethnic media, as well as the history of ethnic media, its role in ethnic communities, the effect of globalization, and the professional challenges faced by ethnic media journalists. A compelling discussion on the future of ethnic media concludes the book and points the way toward further research.

Key Features:

  • A fresh viewpoint: The book focuses on how and why ethnic and racial minorities produce and consume media for themselvesnot just how they are represented in or by the media.
  • An ecological approach: The authors explore the growth of ethnic media in different socio-political contexts and approach ethnic media from the vantage points of both the audience and the media organization.
  • An international focus: Provides readers with comparative examples from around the world.
  • A conceptual and practical focus: Conceptual content is relevant, timely, and connected to readers' lived experiences through real-world case studies.
  • A student-friendly presentation: In each chapter, introductory bullet points identify the main concepts and issues, key terms are defined, student projects are suggested, and discussion questions are provided.

 
Preface
 
PART I: ETHNIC MEDIA IN CONTEXT
 
1. What Are Ethnic Media?
Introduction

 
Defining Ethnic Media

 
The Role of Geographic Context

 
The Roles of Ethnic Media

 
Globalization and the Ethnic Media

 
Social Changes That Make Studying Ethnic Media Necessary

 
Chapter-by-Chapter Book Overview

 
 
2. The Ethnic Media in History
Emigration, Immigration, and the Ethnic Media

 
Beginnings of the Ethnic Press in Europe

 
Ethnic Media in the United States

 
Ethnic Media in Canada

 
Ethnic Media in Mexico

 
Ethnic and Immigrant Media in Australia

 
How the Past Affects Present Ethnic Media Trends

 
 
PART II: THE CONSUMERS
 
3. Immigrants and Their Media
Why Immigration Matters

 
Context of Reception

 
Ethnic Media as Resources for Immigrants

 
 
4. Ethnic Minorities and Their Media
What Is an Ethnic Minority?

 
Ethnic Media's Roles in Ethnic Minority Communities

 
The Challenge for Ethnic Media to Remain Viable

 
 
PART III: THE PRODUCERS
 
5. Ethnic Media Audience Trends and What Lies Behind the Numbers
Ethnic Newspapers: The Importance of Circulation Audits

 
Ethnic Television and Radio: Trends and Politics Behind the Ratings

 
Trends in Print Media Circulation

 
The Audiences of Ethnic Television and Radio

 
 
6. Ethnic Media Organizations and Competition
Surviving Competition, Achieving Sustainability

 
Competing for Advertising Revenue

 
Challenges and Opportunities for Ethnic Print Media

 
The Internet as a Substitute for Ethnic Print Media

 
Competition in Ethnic Television and Radio

 
Ethnic Television, Ethnic Radio, and the Internet

 
Online-Only Ethnic Media

 
The 2008 Global Economic Crisis: Catalyst for Innovation or Demise?

 
Satellite Broadcasting Networks

 
 
7. Globalization and the Ethnic Media Organization
The Structure of Ethnic Media Organizations

 
What is Globalization?

 
Forces of Globalization

 
Six Types of Ethnic Media Organizations

 
Who Owns the Ethnic Media?

 
 
8. Policy and Ethnic Media Development
Governance and Ethnic Media

 
Policymaking in a Globalizing World

 
The Broader Policy Context of Ethnic Media Development

 
Media Policy Provisions and the Ethnic Media

 
Immigrant Versus Indigenous Ethnic Cmmunities

 
Public Service Broadcasting and Ethnic Media

 
Public Access to the Airwaves, Open Channels, and Restricted Service Licenses

 
Deregulation and the Internet

 
 
PART IV: ETHNIC MEDIA AS CIVIC COMMUNICATORS
 
9. Ethnic Media as Local Media
Ethnic Media and the Communities They Serve

 
Geo-Ethnic Media and Civic Engagement

 
Geo-Ethnic Media and Community Health

 
Geo-Ethnic Media Challenges

 
 
10. Professional Challenges for Ethnic Media Journalists
The Ethnic Media Journalist in the 21st Century

 
Who Are the Ethnic Media Journalists, Editors, and Staff?

 
Journalists as Conduits to the Larger Community

 
Challenges Ethnic Media Producers, Editors and Reporters Face

 
Professionalization: Objectivity and Social Responsibility

 
When the Ethnic Community Turns Against Its Ethnic Media

 
Ethnic and Mainstream Media Collaborations: Experiments, Possibilities, Challenges

 
The Role of Professional Journalism Education in the Future of Ethnic Media

 
 
PART V: THE FUTURE OF ETHNIC MEDIA
 
Conclusions: What Does the Future Hold for Ethnic Media?
How the Experts See the Future of Ethnic Media

 
Ethnic Media and Emerging Technologies: Opportunity or Risk?

 
The Future of Ethnic Media: The Consumers

 
The Future of Ethnic Media: The Producers

 
Gaps in the Research: What Do We Still Need to Know to Understand Ethnic Media?

 
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index
 
About the Authors

"This comprehensive book offers a global overview. The rich data discussed and the activities proposed make a very good introductory text for ethnic media teaching. The organization of the material is excellent and the writing is particularly engaging and confident, and brings the subject to life."

Myria Georgiou
London School of Economics and Political Science

"This is an excellent contribution to a growing body of important literature."

Donald R. Browne
University of Minnesota

Understanding Ethnic Media: Producers, Consumers and Societies addresses important media outlets that are often absent from academia and professional discussions of mass media. In light of the momentous changes within today’s societies, and with the many challenges faced by governments unsure of multiculturalism, the need for this text at this time could not be greater. … This much-needed book offers a wonderful overview and identifies areas in need of further exploration.

Maria E. Len-Rios
Missouri School of Journalism, Journal of Communication

This book is definitely a must-read for all teachers and students in the field of media and ethnic minorities or those professionals planning to play a role in ethnic media development.

Leen d’Haenens
Radboud University Nijmegen, Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research

The book offers a rich smorgasbord of discussion, covering immigrants’ media, minorities’ media, audience trends, ethnic media organizations, and policy development. … The book abounds in small, substantive nicities that would make it appealing to a wide base of readers. … Overall, it is a valuable textbook for the growing field of ethnic media studies.

Nikhil Moro
Universtiy of North Texas, Journalism & Mass Communication Educator

The study of ethnic media is complex terrain. Matsaganis, Katz, and Baii-Rokeach's new book thankfully provides clear, sharp analysis of the processes that shape media produced by ethnic communities and for ethnic communities. It is a useful starting point for students, policy makers, media practitioners, and academics, one that is grounded in a thorough practical knowledge of newsroom mechanics, the tensions created by market competition and tight budgets, and wider technological shifts in production and consumption.

Ben O'Mara
Victoria University

A good, wide-ranging and well-written text suitable for later undergraduates and postgrads. Rather too focused on the US and Canada with its examples in places, however, and doesn't really discuss the differences between what is provided by different media types (eg ethnic radio and TV content vs newspaper or online). No text is perfect!

Dr David Brake
Journalism , Bedfordshire University
June 26, 2011

I chose several chapters from this book for a readings packet because they addressed topics that I was unable to find in other textbooks. This is a very good overview of ethnic media and works well as a companion to Sage's text entitled Understanding Community Media.

Ms Bonnie McEwan
Milano School of Management & Policy, New School University
March 3, 2011

Useful for very specific topics, e.g. if focussing on specific cultural group one can find useful additional information about media usage within a certain cultural group

Dr Hille Otto
Psychology, University of Osnabrueck
November 22, 2010

It’s the first book I found which covers the whole range of aspects of ethnic media and going in depth for aspects of media consumtion and production contextualizing the sector in society and the broader media landscape. For teaching the book is absolutely helpful as the authors offers a wide range of questions and tasks for students to work on. Examplens of ethnic media are shown from very different regions and also with a broad historical scope - that opens the possibility to enter the issue from very different perspectives and starting with practical cases.
I ordered the book for our library at Klagenfurt University and will use it with my lecture on "community media – diversity and social change".

Mr Helmut Peissl
Institut für Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, University of Klagenfurt
November 20, 2010

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