Abstract

This article, focusing on journalists working for Turkish language newspapers in the UK, examines the way ethnic media journalists perceive their professional role and performances. Ethnic media have different forms and functions than mainstream media and present different challenges and pressures for journalists due to their communities’ consumption habits and social, economic and political circumstances. This study, based on interviews conducted with journalists and editors working for Turkish language newspapers, suggests three conceptual dimensions that can be operationalized as a model in understanding ethnic media journalists’ professional roles and performance: perception of audience, relation to power and professional ideals. These dimensions, which may overlap in practice, aim to provide the basis for studying ideas and attitudes towards journalism and the context of production within ethnic media.