The National Arab American Journalists Association (http://www.naaja-us.com/) monitors the comings and goings of Arab American publications. We are proud to report that the number of Arab American publications (newspaper and magazines) have increased in the past year by the addition of 7 new publications.
The number increased from 81 to 88.
Here is the breakdown of the Sept. 2007 study:
Regional Breakdown of newspapers
Midwest – 29 – (6 States) IL., MI., IND, OH, MN, WI
South – 5 – (2 States) FL., GA.
East – 19 – (8 States) NY, NJ, MD, MA, VA, PA DC, CT
Northwest – 2 – (2 States) OR, WA
West – 26 – (4 States) CA, TX, AZ NV(Including National Magazines – 11)
Here is the new update as of November 8, 2008:
Regional Breakdown of newspapers
Midwest – 30 – (6 States) IL., MI., IND, OH, MN, WI
South – 7 – (2 States) FL., GA.
East – 19 – (8 States) NY, NJ, MD, MA, VA, PA DC, CT
Northwest – 2 – (2 States) OR, WA
West – 30 – (5 States) CA, TX, AZ NV, CO
(Including National Magazines – 12)
It also represents an increase of one more US State, from 22 to 23, with the latest state offering an Arab American publication to be Colorado.
The complete breakdown of the statistics are on our web site at http://www.naaja-us.com/.
This is quite a contrast from October 2002, just over a year after Sept. 11 when the number of publications still publishing in the face of rising anti-Arab animosity after the terrorist attack dropping to an all-time low of about 57 newspapers and 8 magazines.
Chicago, for example, prior to Sept. 11, 2001, had seven Arab American publications. In the months after, all but one closed down and remains in publication although with new ownership as of 2006.
We also monitor the number of Arab American radio programs and cable TV programs and we have seen a slight increase in those areas also, although the print media continues to dominate Arab America journalism.
-- Ray Hanania
http://www.radiochicagoland.com/
http://www.naaja-us.com/
