The Diverse City: Can you read all about it in ethnic newspapers?

The ethnic diversity in Canadian cities has been accompanied by rapid growth in the number of ethnocultural newspapers serving immigrant, ethnic and racialized communities. What role do these newspapers play in shaping how different groups see each other? This study examines how three ethnic newspapers published in the Greater Toronto Area portray residents other than their target audiences. Data are presented on the extent to which other groups are covered in the news and the nature of that news coverage. The results suggest that the Korean, Russian and Punjabi-language publications examined in the study paint only a limited picture of diversity in one of the world’s most diverse metropolitan areas. In the case of the Korean-language newspaper, there is also some limited evidence of stereotyping of the Black community. Suggestions are offered on how ethnic news outlets with small editorial teams and limited financial resources can introduce greater diversity into their news reporting without compromising coverage of their own communities. Training options and strategies to help address challenges associated with reporting on diversity are also outlined.