Understanding Ethnic Media
Producers, Consumers, and Societies
- Matthew D. Matsaganis - University at Albany, State University of New York, USA
- Vikki S. Katz - Rutgers University, USA, University of Southern California
- Sandra J. Ball-Rokeach - University of Southern California, USA
Understanding Ethnic Media approaches the ethnic media from the consumers' point of view AND the producers' vantage point, as changes that occur in the ethnic community affect the media, and vice versa. This accessible textbook strives to bridge the gap between the consumer and the production-centered research as it examines the relationships (a) between the ethnic media available in particular markets and (b) between the ethnic and mainstream media.
"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."
"This is an excellent contribution to a growing body of important literature."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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".
