Democrats Fight Hispanic Media Merger

The Washington Post ^ | Sunday, May 25, 2003 | Juliet Eilperin

[Katya]

Concerned about Republican inroads into the Hispanic community, congressional Democrats are trying to fend off a proposed merger between Univision Communications Inc. and the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation.
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The merger would place Jerry Perenchio, Univision's billionaire CEO and a registered Republican, at the helm of a corporation owning 65 Spanish-language radio stations. The closest competitor, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), has 27 stations.
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"If the Univision merger is approved, there may be less diverse programming, news sources, and viewpoints available to Spanish-speaking audiences," Daschle wrote. "This could significantly impact public debate and lead to less local and community-oriented programming." Several weeks earlier, eight members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote a similar letter, saying they were "concerned about the impact of consolidation on our constituents and the fact that Hispanic ownership and management of U.S. media has virtually vanished in recent years."
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For months, Democrats have accused Univision of biased news coverage. During the recent coverage of the judicial nomination fight over Miguel Estrada, they say, Univision barely covered Democratic opposition, instead painting Estrada in the most positive light.

[Katya]

"For months, Democrats have accused Univision of biased news coverage."...mega Yawn!

[Katya]

okay...bad search...already been posted.

[rvoitier]

Here ya go.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

I guess they're worried about Jerry Perenchio becoming the Rupert Murdoch of Hispanic news. So much for justo y equilibrado in the eyes of democrats.

[milan]

I love reading things like this.

You know, just a couple months ago, there was some expert on Hannity and Colmes who swore that the minority base would get so big as to always ensure Democrat winners from now on. That is, until the Democrats have been exposed for the slime they are. No it looks as though the minority base is seeing the truth of the Republican party and the lies and opression of the Dems.

[Sonny M]

Gee, a successfull hispanic who is rich and republican. The dems must be stewing over this. The Rats don't like it when hispanics or african americans become successfull, it does not compute to them, so they have to tear at them.

[FITZ]

During the recent coverage of the judicial nomination fight over Miguel Estrada, they say, Univision barely covered Democratic opposition, instead painting Estrada in the most positive light.

I doubt the democrats really have too much to fear ----in spite of Univision, it looks like they've pretty much done in Estrada.

[Gringo1]

Carajo!

siempre se quejan tanto!

[John Jorsett]

I doubt the democrats really have too much to fear ----in spite of Univision, it looks like they've pretty much done in Estrada.

I think they have a larger concern: the Hispanic voters might wander off the Democrat reservation if they're presented with information contrary to the usual race-baiting poverty-pimping rhetoric.

[trebb]

I think they have a larger concern: the Hispanic voters might wander off the Democrat reservation if they're presented with information contrary to the usual race-baiting poverty-pimping rhetoric

Exactly - can't have them minorities getting the real skinny on anything. Why, they might find out that they can fend for themselves and don't need the "I'm a Victim" ticket to get along and prosper.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"For months, Democrats have accused Univision of biased news coverage. During the recent coverage of the judicial nomination fight over Miguel Estrada, they say, Univision barely covered Democratic opposition, instead painting Estrada in the most positive light."

hehehehe...be scared Daschle, be very scared...we're coming, and it won't be a pretty sight for you and your cronies.

[Katya]

Public whining and democrats seems to go together, obviously they'd prefer the gauls to the latins.