Blackwell Reference Online

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We live in an increasingly diverse world, not only in terms of ethnic heritage, but also in the forms of communication available. With so many information resources to choose from, how do we make sure that communication campaigns reach target audiences? Ethnicity is often implicated in the formation of knowledge gaps, in which certain portions of the population receive and gain knowledge through the media at a faster rate than others, creating a difference between information “haves” and “have-nots” (→  Knowledge Gap Effects ). As a result, the issue of ethnicity and exposure to communication becomes particularly important when trying to ensure equal access to →  Information pertinent to life in the twenty-first century. Ethnic groups are distinguished by common culture, language, religion, and/or ancestral origins. There are no internationally agreed upon ethnic categorizations because history often plays a role in what aspects are considered most important for ethnic identity. For example, the historical conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland makes religious affiliation imperative to ethnic categorization, whereas the history of immigration in the US leads to a greater focus on ancestral origins (→  Migration and Immigration ). Most research tends to use broader racial categories to define ethnic groups. In the US, for example, census categorizations of ... log in or subscribe to read full text