Covering Communities of Color in Times of Crisis

This book gathers a wide range of ethnic-media crisis coverage case studies to construct a new crisis-time journalism model for ethnic media. By assessing the responses of ethnic news outlets to contemporary crises – such as the COVID-19 pandemic, events of racial injustice in 2020, environmental disasters, water contamination, and anti-Asian hate – these authors highlight the unique contributions of ethnic-media.

Despite the multifaceted challenges facing ethnic news outlets serving four ethnic groups in the U.S. (African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and Native Americans/ Indigenous people) provided their communities with information and analysis during instances of crisis. This study therefore provides valuable insights into the strategies that ethnic news outlets can adopt to stay viable and relevant, especially during a future crisis.

Dr. George L. Daniels is an associate professor of journalism and creative media in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Before beginning his academic career, Daniels worked as a writer for a Black-owned newspaper and as a local television news producer.

Dr. Masudul Biswas is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, North Carolina A&T State University. Diversity in journalism and media education are his major research interests. He co-authored a book on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategies: Learning from Journalism and Mass Communication Programs with Professional Impact in 2023.