Browsing by Author "Chane Abegaz, Feven"

In recent times, most western societies appear to be confronted with an ever growing number of immigrants as a consequence of globalization and the need to preserve national culture and identity. This is an intricate situation where migrants themselves are constantly faced with difficulties to socially integrate into their new societies. They also have to deal with maintaining distinctiveness of their identity and cultural heritage. Studies suggest that the media plays a crucial role in constructing immigrant identity and affiliation with their new host society. This empirical study explores the media use of Ethiopians in Finland and its implication to their identity and social integration. I have argued based on the existing theory and scholarship regarding multiculturalism, social integration, media use and identity. Specifically, the study gives a special emphasis to immigrant’s diaspora and transnational identity—that has been gaining recent academic significance in migration and media studies. This study employs a qualitative research method using a semi-structured interview with 10 Ethiopians living in Finland and thematic network analytical tool. The finding shows that there is a reciprocal relationship between media use and social integration. Finnish media portrayal of immigrants shows the depiction of 'the other', and that this has been affecting immigrant social integration in to the society. It also finds out that the main media menu for Ethiopians in Finland are Ethiopian diaspora media—that employ hybrid journalism where there exists political activism and journalism.