Mass media are society’s primary source of knowledge about ethnic minorities

Evidence

As suggested, however, much everyday talk about minorities is inspired by the mass media. Speakers routinely refer to television or the newspaper as their source (and authority) of knowledge or opinions about ethnic minorities. This is especially the case for those topics that cannot be observed directly in everyday interaction, even in ethnically mixed countries or cities. Immigration is a prominent example, in which most citizens depend on the mass media, which in turn depend on politicians, bureaucrats, the police, or state agencies. Of course, in cities, regions, or countries with few minorities, virtually all beliefs about the Others come from mass media discourse, literature, textbooks, studies, or other forms of elite discourse. In other words, not only for ordinary citizens but also for the elites themselves, the mass media are today the primary source of “ethnic” knowledge and opinion in society. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 1086

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Elites too depend on mass media as their primary ethnic information source

Broader Connections

• Elites too depend on mass media as their primary ethnic information source #expands (0.85)