News changes everything
For a long time, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population has been fighting to be seen and heard. That changed when Kamala Harris became the first South Asian and Black presidential candidate. Immediately news narratives shifted with an unprecedented focus on reaching AANHPI voters through the issues that matter most to this diverse population. Indeed, news media holds the power to bring out the fastest-growing voter population in the country.
The numbers are strong. According to APIAVote, through June 2024, voter registration for AANHPIs increased by 43%, from 550,682 to 787,982 voters—more than double the increase in the number of both new Black and white voters. This group of voters want to learn more and turn to digital news sources, particularly free newspaper websites they trust. According to Nielsen data, 78% consume news at least once a day and are 34% more likely to trust in the accuracy of news.
While building trust is a fundamental necessity to the accuracy and integrity of news media, it’s also important that journalists continue to understand how topics and interest points vary within this critical voter audience.
In Gold House’s 2024 Gold Paper Survey, powered by Nielsen, major generational differences divide audience interests. AANHPIs 65+ years old report a heightened interest in stories that cover fears of geopolitical tensions and anti-Asian hate. Whereas AANHPI audiences 18-34 years old show more interest in stories that touch on key issues of affirmative action and immigration. While all topics are important issues during the presidential election, it’s clear that specific narratives have the potential to impact AANHPI Gen Z and Millennial voters differently – compared to older voter cohorts.
| News topic | 18 – 34 yo | 65+ yo |
|---|---|---|
| Fear about geopolitical tensions | 42% | 72% |
| Fears about violence or anti-Asian hate | 50% | 79% |
| Affirmative action | 23% | 12% |
| Immigration | 47% | 39% |
Source: 2024 Gold Paper Survey: Perspectives on Asian Pacific Communities and Cultures – powered by Nielsen
Beyond news surrounding key election issues, interest in and importance of international news sources play a critical role in reaching AANHPI audiences and gaining trust – with more than 30% of the U.S. AANHPI population being foreign-born.
Given the need for a broader cross-section of global narratives and demand from audiences, one segment of the news industry stands to gain: diverse-owned and focused media outlets. Nielsen data shows that more than half of AANHPI audiences turn to native language news as trusted sources. Many of these outlets are on free platforms such as KTSF, Sky Link TV and Diya TV are on YouTube, the streaming platform where AANHPI people tune in most.
In addition to the need to elevate diverse-owned media, we also must address the gaps in more in-depth and nuanced inclusion of AANHPI stories that also impact how news media shapes perceptions of AANHPI communities. In the same Gold Paper Survey, one third of respondents agree that stereotypes influence their views of Asian Pacific communities and cultures. This underscores the importance of representative journalism in which initiatives, such as Gold House’s Gold Journalism Grant, continue to empower more community-based storytellers and channels.
There is momentum and there are new approaches to investing in news that empowers the AANHPI community. News that is accurate, fair and breaks bias. News that is representative of the fastest growing population in the U.S. and reflects 60% of the world’s population from Asia and the Pacific. News that is trusted and inclusive.
Learn more about reaching Asian American consumers in Nielsen’s latest Diverse Intelligence Series report.
