"A discussion confined to the legal constraints on the press is a clear invitation to deal with law to the exclusion of the fundamental problems facing the mass media in a region which appears to be in a state of political, social, and ideological transition. This is so because the law exerts a disappearing influence on fundamental social and political issues." (author)
"Some aspects of media-government relationships that are explored are mass media ownership policies, and economic, legislative, and physical constraints upon the press." (author)
The study found that Creole and French-language media in Miami have a significant dual function for the Haitian community, "fostering societal cohesion and immigrant incorporation" while, at the same time, helping Haitians living in Miami to "keep informed about and participate in what is happening in Haiti." "We wanted to look at the Haitian media in greater Miami because the community is the largest Haitian community in the country and the second-largest national origin group in Miami Dade County, yet little is known about its media in the larger society." "In the first days of the catastrophe, they all went to English-speaking television, whether they could understand it or not," said Tsitsi Wakhisi, associate professor of Professional Practice in Journalism at the U.M. School of Communication and another co-author of the report. "The people were looking for on-the-ground coverage, while using their cell phones to try to reach people in Haiti. Once American networks stopped their coverage, they relied on Haitian media."
