FRONTLINES

For Ethnic Media, Generally Good News

The state of the nation's Latino, black and Asian American press is generally healthy. "While many mainstream outlets are suffering declines in audience and revenue, the ethnic media seems to be riding above it all," a recent report from the Project for Excellence in Journalism concludes.

Among the factors accounting for the growth in ethnic media—from Spanish-language television networks to small local newspapers—are increasingly diverse communities that are spreading beyond major metropolitan areas. Every year the minority share of the U.S. population rises. The buying power of this diverse group also increases annually.

The future of ethnic media is complicated, however. Black newspapers, which rely on an aging audience, are a hard sell to advertisers and have been slow to adopt an online presence. In 2006, for the first time, Latino population growth came from births rather than immigration. English is likely to be the first language of the U.S.-born generation, a trend which is bound to adversely affect the market for Spanish-language media. As part of its mission to build social cohesion and promote citizen participation, Ford has boosted support of ethnic media as a vital cultural resource.

"Promoting an informed public dialogue and strengthening the voice of marginalized groups are at the core of all that the foundation does," says Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation.

Recent grants supporting Ethnic Media:

Pacific News Service
Supports San Francisco-based New America Media and its collaboration with more than 700 ethnic news organizations, as well as efforts to strengthen the communication links between ethnic media and immigrant rights groups.
www.newamericamedia.org

Wayne State University
Creates a platform for ethnic media entities in Michigan to develop relationships, share resources and strengthen their impact in the state. Also supports efforts to incorporate ethnic news curriculum in existing courses and establishes a Center for Ethnic Media Policy and Research.
www.comm.wayne.edu/ethnicmedia.php

University of Massachusetts, Boston Enables the university's Center on Media and Society to strengthen the impact and news quality of Boston's ethnic media. This includes developing an ethnic media news wire service and internships.
www.mccormacktmp.umb.edu/cms