Engaging Foreign Publics via Diaspora Media: An Emerging Frontier in International Public Relations

• In Event: Emerging Publics in Government Communications: Domestic Publics and Diaspora Communities

Abstract

International public relations and public diplomacy professionals aim to build mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and foreign stakeholders. The expanding role of international satellite television networks along with the diffusion of social media platforms has shifted much practitioner attention towards global media. As such, organizational engagement programs attempt to build a bridge between nations via two-way communication channels that may be mediated or direct. One emerging public in this international engagement effort are those diaspora communities that are often located in organizational back yards. Research on diaspora communities indicates that these communities and their local media platforms are highly credible in their home. As such they present great potential in serving as mediators between organizations and foreign stakeholders. The panel presentation will focus on this potential role and will discuss some recent implications both scholarly and professional.

Author

• Guy J. Golan, Syracuse U