Exploring an ethnic weekly: Dawa business press and its community

The ethnic press plays a vital role in the consolidation of ethnic communities and the formation of multicultural mosaic of Canada. Through a case study of Dawa Business Press, this report examines the ethnic weekly’s operation and major survival strategies in terms of editorial practice and social-political activities. Specifically, it explores the press’s enterprising interaction with its community through getting involved in local community organizations, advocating community-conscious programs, promoting civic and political participation, establishing goodwill with government and politicians, and building rapport with local Chinese businesses. These formulas are effective in building readership and advertising, but also lead to the risk of compromised journalistic standards. The report also discusses financial hardships and intense competition that ethnic media confront. It recommends establishing industry partnership and strengthening government support for the ethnic press in the context of demographic trends and increasing ethnic diversity in the country