Along
with the globalization process, Diaspora has become a common term, which refers
to the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from their ancestral
homeland according to the definition provided by Merriam Webster
(2012). As these people are living away from their homeland, cultural
anxiety has become a common social phenomenon in many multi-cultural societies
including Melbourne and Hong Kong.
As
a multi-cultural society, it is not hard to see a group of Chinese, or any
other races living in a certain suburb, such as Boxhill (Chinese) and
Springvale (Vietnamese), and among the local media channels serviced, some of
you may realise that there are certain amount of TV channels are not for the
local Australians, as the programmes being aired in these channels may not be
in English, but in Chinese or any other languages instead.
For example, The TVB Australia (TVBA), TVBA airs programmes mainly in Cantonese, providing dramas produced in Hong Kong, Hong Kong news and entertainment, along with the Australian local news and information. This kind of media channels is regarded as 'Diasporic media', which refers to the broadcasting media targeting a certain group of audiences in a society.
For example, The TVB Australia (TVBA), TVBA airs programmes mainly in Cantonese, providing dramas produced in Hong Kong, Hong Kong news and entertainment, along with the Australian local news and information. This kind of media channels is regarded as 'Diasporic media', which refers to the broadcasting media targeting a certain group of audiences in a society.
Image credit to: TVBAustralia
Diasporic
media such as the TVBA, does not only offers the migrants a kind of
entertainment, but as well provides the Chinese living in Australia a way
to understand their homeland and meanwhile keep track with their own culture,
and eventually help to reduce the cultural anxiety being a resident living in
another society, by negotiating with the new cultural identity (Cunningham,
2001).
Reference
Merriam Webster 2012, retrieved 28 Aug 2012, <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diaspora>.
Cunningham, S 2001, 'Popular media as public 'sphericules' for diasporic communities',
International Journal of Cultural Studies, Vol. 4 No. 2 ,pp. 131- 147 .
International Journal of Cultural Studies, Vol. 4 No. 2 ,pp. 131- 147 .
Hey Dylan! I think this is a good example and interpretation of diaspora. It illustrates a nice definition in terms of clarifying what it is and how it affects our society. I like the way you related it with the areas in which certain cultures tend to hover around and Springvale and Boxhill are definitely the Asian hotspots. Your post could be improved, however, if you presented your perception on the matter and included where you stand/how you feel about diaspora. That would’ve made your argument much stronger. Other than that, great blog!
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be very informative as i was not aware about these foreign programmes being broadcasted. I also agree with what you said; since diaspora is used for migration now and that takes place almost everywhere, a country like Australia has to have ways in order to make people feel at home. I'm from India, and living in Melbourne has not only introduced me to different cultures but it also has made me feel at home since i get my taste of Bollywood from anywhere or i can just visit Dandenong.
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ReplyDeleteHi Dylan, you gave an excellent example in your blog entire to explain what diaspora media is. I agree with your point of view, that TVBA often acts as a surrogate for 'Hong Kong and Chinese' culture. TVB television broadcast in foreign lands such as Canada and England, this media is a source of maintaining the diaspora community. TVB plays an important role helps Chinese immigrant keep in touch with their countries of origin.
ReplyDeletei agree your point that diaspora has become a common term , particular in Australia.
ReplyDeleteAs for the mulch-cultural society, there are a lot of a group of people who are same race and living together, no matter chinese and Vietnamese. Therefore diaspora TV channel appear. And it is good example of TVBA.
This blog post was set out really well- with well researched information reinforcement by commentary that seemed authoritative. I am particularly impressed with the way you managed to blend in words such as diaspora so immediately something I personally found difficult to do with my personal blog post. The fact that you started the blog with a technical term and yet still managed to get me to continue reading to the end is something that surprised me as the reader.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post Dylan! You’re writing style is very clear and concise and you managed to clearly demonstrate diasporic media in our society today. I think television is a solid example of media flows within globalisation, and it’s an effective way, as you mention, to reduce that cultural diaspora; TVBA being one example of many. It’s also promotes the creation of a new culture which embraces the Australian way of life while still holding on to the traditions and cultures of the homeland. Overall, well-structured and good links to personal and current examples.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your post. You're writing style and the words you use is clear and easy to understand. And every post you write have a very explicit statement and is informative. you said that TVBA does offers the migrants a kind of entertainment and also provides the Chinese living in Australia a way to understand their homeland. i believed that in today digital age, the internet TV, such as PPS will have high exposure and influence in migrants.
ReplyDeleteHi Dylan, I think you have done a really good job with blog by managing to connect the concept of diaspora with the media. I did not know about TVBA but it seems completely logical that people who have moved to Australia still want to watch TV series and get information from their homeland in their mother tongue. Great job!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, I am very pleased how easily you made me as the reader aware of issues and effective media flows that contribute to reducing cultural diaspora. The example of the Chinese TVBA producing majorly Cantonese productions is definitely something I had no idea about but had a quick search soon after reading your post and saw just how not only TVBA but many other production and broadcasting companies really isolate their target audiences. Great job!
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