Abstract

The mediascape in multicultural societies is transforming. Aside from increasing transnational migration, forces of globalization (both cultural and economic) and digitalization allow media to transcend their formal national boundaries. Ethnic media are no exception. Formerly confined to the domain of ethnic or diasporic communities, these media go beyond not only geographic, but also ethnic boundaries. What is lagging behind this shift is the social perception and academic approach toward ethnic media, which consider ethnic media as media by and for immigrants, ethno-racial groups, and linguistic minorities only. This brief discussion traces the evolution of ethnic media by examining various aspects—terminologies, historical trajectories, and trends in production and consumption—and suggests that new critical approaches to understanding ethnic media are needed.