Diasporic Media

The word diaspora is derived from the Greek word diaspeirein, which means scattering of the seeds. The history of diaspora and human migration is as old as the history of mankind. About 3.5 percent of world population lives outside their countries of origin. Diasporic communities always seek an association to their land of origin. At the same time, they want to be connected closely to each other in host countries in order to get help in the settlement process. Diasporic media provide channels to achieve these goals.

There are different representations  of  diasporic communication as social media outlets, television channels, radio, and   newspapers. It is mainly linked by social characteristics as religion, ethnicity, language and culture and consists of the media outlets for immigrants and usually run by immigrants themselves.

While diasporic media not only satisfies the nostalgia of migrants,  it creates profitable business opportunities within the community and can promote cultural and ethnic activities. 

There are 3000 diasporic media organizations in the US where 36 percent of the population of Newyork is foreign-born and people speak 170 different languages.  
The Government, politicians, business corporations are increasingly realizing the power of diasporic media worldwide.   With increased multiculturalism, development of digital age and significance of ethnicity as an individual's identity, it also opens the vibrant market for media corporations.


Media of Diaspora