Chicago is home to a tremendous variety of ethnic groups. It should be no surprise, then, that a great number of diverse ethnic media outlets have arisen. These outlets provide valuable information to various immigrant communities via newspapers, radio, TV, and the Internet, among other forms of media.
Ethnic Media in Chicago
Bulgaria Weekly
The Bulgaria Weekly is, as its name indicates, a weekly newspaper aimed at Chicago’s Bulgarian population. It was established in 2001 as Bulgaria’s first independent newspaper in Chicago. The publication attempts to reflect various aspects of life from the perspective of Bulgarians, Americans, and the world at large. In addition to the print version, the online edition can be found on the website.
Panamericano Hoy
Panamericano Hoy is a publication that focuses on building a positive image of Chicago’s Latinos, particularly Columbians, and fostering good relations between Latinos and other ethnic communities. The print version is distributed free of charge at various locations in Greater Chicago. The Internet version can be found on the website.
Chicago Jewish News
The Chicago Jewish News was founded in 1994 by Joseph Aaron, the publication’s first editor-in-chief. Quite naturally, it is focused on serving Chicago’s sizable Jewish population. Journalistically, it is well-respected — in fact, in 2015 it won the Simon Rockower Award for excellence in Jewish journalism in two different categories The newspaper’s circulation is approximately 40,000.
Muslim Journal
The Muslim Journal is an online magazine that covers business, culture, education, health, international affairs, national news, politics religion, science, sports, and technology from a Muslim perspective.
Russian Chicago
Russian Chicago was founded in Chicago in 1999 as the first Russian community website in Chicago. Its core business is as an online magazine designed to connect local ethnic communities to Chicago’s mainstream without sacrificing any group’s cultural heritage. In the pursuit of both of these seemingly contradictory ends, Russian Chicago seeks to create opportunities for cultural exchange.
Since 1999, Russian Chicago has become one of the most well-known Russian media outlets to be found anywhere in North America. Currently, Russian Chicago operates publishing, advertising, broadcasting, event management, TV, and video businesses.
Vashe Radio
Vashe Radio is a Russian language radio program that has been broadcasting in Chicago since 1995, on WSBC Chicago at AM1240. It is easily the most popular Russian language radio program in Chicago, largely due to programming that combines entertainment, news, “reality” programming, and original content.
Over the Internet and mobile, Vashe Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day. Its studio is located in the Chicago suburb of Skokie, Illinois, and its target audience is Russian-Americans between the ages of 22 and 49.
ASEAN Tribune
The ASEAN Tribune is an online regional news publication for Southeast Asians. Although it is not headquartered in Chicago, it is popular among Chicago’s large Southeast Asian community. The member countries of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) include Brunei Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
WOJO 105. 1 FM- La Que Buena
La Que Buena is a music-oriented radio station that is aimed at a Mexican-American audience. Its format includes classical, traditional, and alternative Mexican music. La Que Buena not only plays popular hits and old standards, but it also prides itself on playing music by new or unknown artists, in order to open doors for the entry of new talent into the market. You can find La Que Buena at 105.1 FM in Chicago.
The foregoing represents only a small fraction of the ethnic media outlets available in Chicago. Some forms of media, such as ethnic bookstores, were not listed above — but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
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