Economic Crisis Translates to Bad News for Ethnic Media

Ethnic newspapers and magazines, until recently a bright spot in the gloomy print-journalism industry, are feeling the pain of the economic crisis, New America Media reports. Ethnic publications rely on ads from local businesses—like real estate brokers—and as their business goes downhill, so do the papers'. “I still have eight pages for that section," one editor said. "Before, I had 20 pages.”

A handful of publications have folded, and those that remain are working hard to stay relevant to their communities. “The main thing is the attitude of wanting to be a service,” a publisher in Southern California said. That means trying to boost circulation to give advertisers more bang for their buck, and also expanding online to attract readers from all over. (More newspaper stories.)