Chinese Language Media in the United States: Immigration and Assimilation in American Life

Abstract

The upsurge of Chinese language media—publications, radio, television, and the Internet—mirrors the linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of the Chinese immigrant community, its vibrant ethnic enclave economy, and its multifaceted life in the United States. This article explores the causes and consequences of the ethnic media and its impact on the process of adaptation among Chinese immigrants. The data on which our study is based entail a content analysis of a selection of newspapers, television and radio programs, and websites, supplemented by telephone or face-to-face interviews. We attempt to answer a fundamental question: Does the ethnic media inhibit or promote the assimilation of immigrants into American society? We find that the Chinese language media not only connects immigrants to their host society, but also serves as a road map for the first generation to incorporate into American society by promoting the mobility goals of home ownership, entrepreneurship, and educational achievement.