In 1980 the National Asian American Telecommunications Association (NAATA) was formed and was based in San Francisco. It is now known as the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). It was formed during a historical period in Asian American media when many other organizations were being formed such as Asian CineVision in New York. The organization was found to promote Asian American media like television and filmmaking. They did this in an attempt to promote social advocacy by trying to change the negative image of Asians portrayed in mainstream media. While trying to promote social advocacy, the CAAM also opened up new opportunities for Asian Americans by having new jobs available in more media oriented work.

CAAM also holds a film festival, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), every year and has since 1982 which has helped launch many Asian American independent filmmakers and has been a successful at showing Asian films. This helps open them up to new audiences and make them better known in the community. They also give out funds to other Asian American media projects that they deem to be engaging or provocative.

One program that CAAM produced was the “Silk Screen” series, which won an award, that PBS broadcasted from 1982-1987. It was supposed to educate the audience of the issues involved with Asian American imports. They continue to produce works for PBS, more so during Asian/Pacific Heritage Month.

CAAM helped put Asian Americans into mass media which made them visible to the public. They put out different videos, films, etc. to show Asian Americans in a different way than how they were portrayed by mainstream media. Asians were still being stereotyped in a negative manner and CAAM was able to help change the views of Asians by the media. This helped break through the stereotypes and show Asians in a more positive manner and helping them make their way into mainstream media. Since Asians were seen as more technological and scientific, CAAM helped by showing that Asians were also creative and are able to work in different fields. Not only did the programs break down stereotypes but just having Asians produce films showed America a different side of Asians not seen before.