Different agenda: economic and social aspects of the ethnic press in Australia

Australia is officially assumed to have a '... thriving ethnic, mainly non-English language press... [which] helps to preserve interest in its readers' original culture ... [and] provides interest critical information on Australian society and a valuable sense of belonging to many NESB Australians' (Office of Multicultural Affairs, 1988). The validity of these assumptions is examined in this report. It explores in detail the economic significance of the ethnic press and the social uses and cultural needs to which its 100-plus newspapers are relevant. Specifically: a) The economic dimensions of.the ethnic press as an industry (its scale, ownership, employment, revenue sources, etc). b) Its readership. c) Factors which determine and limit its social and cultural value to users. d) Future options and trends given changing demographics and immigration policies.