A Comparative Study on Korean Media in Vancouver and Los Angeles
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Diasporic Media in Multicultural Cities: A Comparative Study on Korean Media in Vancouver and Los Angeles by Sherry S. Yu M.I.S., Yonsei University, 2001 B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1997 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the School of Communication Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology © Sherry S. Yu 2012 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2012 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for “Fair Dealing.” Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. Approval Name: Sherry S. Yu Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Communication) Title of Thesis: Diasporic Media in Multicultural Cities: A Comparative Study on Korean Media in Vancouver and Los Angeles Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Jan Marontate Associate Professor Dr. Catherine Murray Senior Supervisor Professor Dr. Alison Beale Supervisor Professor Dr. Mary Lynn Young Supervisor Associate Professor, UBC Graduate School of Journalism Dr. Kirsten McAllister Internal Examiner Associate Professor by teleconference (London, UK) Dr. Myria Georgiou External Examiner Lecturer, Department of Media and Communications London School of Economics and Political Science Date Defended/Approved: April 18, 2012 ii Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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Simon Fraser University Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Last update: Spring 2010 Abstract In multicultural cities, what are the opportunities and challenges for creating an interculturally inclusive media system, as a means of enhancing multicultural citizenship and cultural literacy among all members of society? This study explores the rapidly growing, yet understudied, Korean media sector in Vancouver and Los Angeles. The passage of Korea’s new election law in 2009, which extends voting rights to overseas Koreans, is likely to intensify the connection between the home country and one of the most monolingual and first-generation-dominant diaspora in Canada and the U.S. This dissertation advances the field of diasporic media by taking an interdisciplinary approach across the fields of multiculturalism and media. By synthesizing Will Kymlicka’s theory of multicultural citizenship and institutional integration for social inclusion, and Sandra Ball-Rokeach’s theory of urban communication infrastructure as a storytelling system, this study offers a critical analysis of multiculturalism as theory, policy, and practice, tracing its influence on diasporic communication infrastructure. Offering the largest media analysis yet assembled, this dissertation maps the social structure, media organizations, media content, and social interaction of diasporic Korean actors. By using Peter Dahlgren’s four-fold typology of the public sphere, structural and institutional conditions are identified as well as city-specific and ethnicity-specific factors in the production and distribution of diasporic media in general, and diasporic Korean storytelling in particular. Consistent with Kymlicka’s proposition that liberal multicultural citizenship must integrate diasporic identities in the public sphere, this study concludes that the Korean media in both cities contribute to creating a vital local public sphere. Nevertheless, regardless of the different official status of multiculturalism and regulatory contexts, Korean media have been constructed largely in the commercial sector, in which prevalent in-language marketing combined with the lack of policy supports results in the underutilization of Korean media as a means of enhancing cultural literacy for all members of society. Such a shortcoming requires more critical multiculturalism and communication theories and policies, in order to re-examine the existing conception of diasporic inclusion in mainstream institutions, to extend the benefits of diasporic media beyond diasporic communities, and establish an interculturally inclusive media system. Keywords: Diaspora; Korean media; multicultural cities; citizenship; cultural literacy; intercultural media system; media policies iii Dedication To my parents iv Acknowledgements Upon completion of the first phase of my academic journey, I would like to remember and thank those who have walked along with me in this journey. Thanks to my esteemed supervisors, Dr. Catherine Murray, Dr. Alison Beale, and Dr. Mary Lynn Young, for the continuous support and guidance over the years. It has been my great pleasure and privilege to work with the experts in the fields of media and cultural policies and industries, journalism, and empirical research, to mention a few. Thanks also to Dr. Myria Georgiou, Dr. Kirsten McAllister, and Dr. Jan Marontate for gladly accepting the invitation to join the last phase of this journey. I appreciate the thought-provoking comments and questions, which help me move forward. A special thanks to my senior supervisor, Dr. Catherine Murray, for teaching me the joy of academic life. Her intellectual curiosity and passion for research as a scholar, her professional and thoughtful guidance as a supervisor, and her energy and humour as a person, made a great impact on my academic life. I am deeply indebted to her for her presence in all my academic endeavours, and I hope to continue her guidance through the supervision of my future students. Thanks to my wonderful cohort, Daniel Ahadi, Dorothy Christian, Mirjam Gollmitzer, Robert Hershorn, and Ayaka Yoshimizu, for great scholarship and friendship that I cherish dearly. The joys, laughs, surprises, and many more will continue in our academic and personal occasions. Thanks to Korean media practitioners and civil society organization leaders in Vancouver and Los Angeles for sharing the valuable time and insights. Without their input, this work could not have been properly grounded. Thanks also to Jason Congdon, Joanie Wolfe, Nancy Mah, and Heather Campbell for the professional administration and fine-tuning of this work. Last but not least, my sincere appreciation goes to my parents and sister Jenny for everything they have done for me from inception to completion of this work. I have many thoughts, but only two heartfelt words, THANK YOU. v Table of Contents Approval .........................................................................................................................................