Blackwell Reference Online

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Ethnic journalism is the practice of journalism by, for, and about ethnic groups. Because ethnicity is a historical and relational construction ( Jackson & Garner 1998 ), the interplay of power and difference is central to the ways scholarly research defines ethnic media. Ethnic journalism relates to how difference is recreated and connected to the social, political, and economic participation of ethnic groups. Ethnicity is a membership formulated around a shared history, religion, cultural ancestry, geographical region, race, or language, which generates a sense of belonging among particular groups. By this definition, all news media are ethnic. What sets ethnic journalism apart as a distinct category is the involvement of ethnically differentiated groups living within a dominant culture. The literature on ethnic media and journalism maintains conceptualizations of ethnicity marked by contexts of disenfranchisement and limited access to media production (→  Access to the Media ). Ethnic journalism embodies sociopolitical projects of groups that remain unaddressed in the news industry. Members of ethnic minorities seldom hold decision-making positions in the media, and content for and about ethnic minorities is marginal. News stories tend to emphasize the cultural and social traits that distinguish minority groups from mainstream culture (→  Minority Journalism ), reinforcing ... log in or subscribe to read full text