This book examines the relationships between ethnic and Indigenous minorities and the media in Australia. The book places the voices of minorities at its centre, moving beyond a study of only representation and engaging with minority media producers, industries and audiences. Drawing on a diverse range of studies - from the Indigenous media environment to grassroots production by young refugees - the chapters within engage with the full range of media experiences and practices of marginalized Australians. Importantly, the book expands beyond the victimization of Indigenous and ethnic minorities at the hands of mainstream media, and also analyses the empowerment of communities who use media to respond to, challenge and negotiate social inequalities.

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.

This book examines the relationships between ethnic and Indigenous minorities and the media in Australia. The book places the voices of minorities at its centre, moving beyond a study of only representation and engaging with minority media producers, industries and audiences. Drawing on a diverse range of studies - from the Indigenous media environment to grassroots production by young refugees - the chapters within engage with the full range of media experiences and practices of marginalized Australians. Importantly, the book expands beyond the victimization of Indigenous and ethnic minorities at the hands of mainstream media, and also analyses the empowerment of communities who use media to respond to, challenge and negotiate social inequalities.

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.