Placing ethnic media within the context of democratic theory, this book suggests novel ways of thinking about media from the margins. After discussing ethnic media research and defining the concept, John Budarick provides a succinct and in depth discussion of liberal democracy, deliberative democracy and agonistic pluralism, critiquing the explanatory and normative power of each in relation to media, journalism and ethnic diversity. Ultimately, Ethnic Media and Democracy demonstrates the power of agnostic pluralism, an underused theory in media studies that provides a framework for analysing ethnic media. By using this unique approach, the book engages with some of the most pressing issues in the fields of media, politics and democracy, and prompts innovation in the application of traditional models.

An overview of the press and mass media in Africa today and their contribution to democratization

A state-of-the-art account of what we know and do not know about the effects of digital technology on democracy.

Government interventions in media markets are often criticized for preventing audiences from getting the media products they want. A free press is often asserted to be essential for democracy. The first point is incorrect and the second is inadequate as a policy guide. Part I of this book shows that unique aspects of media products prevent markets from providing for audience desires. Part II shows that four prominent, but different, theories of democracy lead to different conceptions of good journalistic practice, media policy, and proper constitutional principles. Part II makes clear that the choice among democratic theories is crucial for understanding what should be meant by free press. Part III explores international free trade in media products. Contrary to the dominant American position, it shows that Parts I and II's economic and democratic theory justify deviations from free trade in media products.

A useful collection for students as the interest in the politics of ethnicity continues.

At present, the picture of the ethnic media is an incomplete one: While there is significant material on the portrayal of ethnic minorities in the mainstream media (and on how these representations affect ethnic perceptions), there is very little material/research on how the media produced by ethnic communities, for ethnic communities affect (1) the perceptions of self and of the ethnic community and (2) how the production and consumption of ethnic media affects the character of the larger media landscape. 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.

Met lit. opg. Objectives: To analyse the ethnic minority media sector within several national media systems, and to examine the participation of members of minority communities in the production of printed and broadcasting media. Contents: International comparative case studies in the US, the Netherlands, France, Norway, Australia and the U.K.; Examination of exclusionary policies in media systems; Consideration of the political economy of ethnic minority media production; Analysis of the relation between mainstream and ethnic minority media and multi-ethnic societies. Summary of findings: While ethnic minority communities do play a creative role in the media and are active in generating ethnic minority media production, there are still barriers to true ethnic democratisation of the mass media.