Identifier

etd-03222017-233236

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Mass Communication

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The conventional wisdom that U.S. and ethnic media have distinctive effects on ethnic populations’ assimilation into the American society inspires two closely related questions: (1) how do English- and ethnic-language media differ in news content?, and (2) to what extent is ethnic audiences’ preference for English- versus ethnic-language media systematically biased such that they seek to use media congenial to their most salient ethnic identity? The first question is expected to provide insights into what ethnic audiences learn about the U.S. and their country of origin from distinct news outlets, and to explain whether and how U.S. and ethnic media may have different influences on ethnic audiences’ attitudes toward both nations. The second question furthers our understanding of why ethnic audiences’ selective exposure is a general, cross-channel pattern with consistent ethnical or political antecedents. To examine the above questions, this project takes a multi-method approach, including one content analysis, two analyses of secondary survey data, one pilot experiment, and one Latino based experimental study. It reveals several important findings. First, the way U.S. media portray the images of the U.S. and China is not radically different from Chinese media, as both tend to cover more negative U.S. images. This indicates their different functions, with the U.S. media playing the role of watchdog and Chinese media serving as the government’s propaganda tool. Second and more importantly, this project reveals evidence that ethnic audiences prefer to use media that are congruent with their most salient cultural identity, especially when they seek for information related to politics and public affairs. This so-called “ethnic selective exposure” exists among both Latino and Asian groups, and across different media platforms.

Date

2017

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Dunaway, Johanna

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4296

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