Websites, blogging, online magazines, podcasts - all of them are a great way for people to forge links, enhance a sense of community and debate with each other. Forward-thinking advertisers are joining them.
Asian-focused www.redhotcurry.com sets out to educate, entertain and amuse with a motto of "all the curry and more" - alluding to the fact that chicken tikka masala is the UK's favourite dish, but there's so much more to talk about. It sees as its purpose a celebration of difference in a society where the need to socially integrate and be accepted has become increasingly oppressive. The site www.pickledpolitics.com is a more serious minded current affairs online magazine or blog set up to challenge racism that steers a more independent line than is found from self-appointed community leaders. www.blink.org.uk is a community interactive site for the black communities. The website carries a daily update of race- related stories and a useful archive on an extensive range of issues.
A more populist approach is taken by www.blackinbritain.co.uk.
Podcasts have yet to make their impact on the black community but the future can be probably be glimpsed with a selection of podcasts found on the US-based www.mandrakesociety.com
A fine example of how to use new media to promote magazine content is www.yourdreamshaadi.co.uk, the UK's leading Asian wedding portal that was launched in 2003.
It provides an invaluable service to British Asian brides and grooms with its comprehensive Asian wedding directory and practical ideas. It claims to be the leading Asian wedding portal and has advertising backing from companies such as Debenhams, John Lewis and Hilton hotels.
