The Hispanic Institute has called for a boycott of CNN, citing the cable news channel’s misrepresentation of immigration issues – specifically in program’s such as “Lou Dobbs Tonight”.
This comes on the heels of the Media Matters report citing Dobbs as part of a trend of cable news personalities that propagate “a series of myths that feed viewers’ resentment and fears, fostering hostility toward immigrants.”
WASHINGTON (June 3) — The Hispanic Institute today announced that it will mount a Latino boycott of CNN to protest the cable news network’s ongoing distortion of facts surrounding U.S. immigration issues, especially in commentaries and reports on “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”
The non-profit organization said the proposed boycott will begin June 3, 2008 and will seek to stop Hispanic viewership of all CNN outlets, including the Spanish-language service. There are now 12.14 million Hispanic television households in the U.S., according to Doug Darfield Sr. Vice President of multicultural measurement for the Nielsen Company.
“We’re taking this step after years of CNN management’s failure to rein in Mr. Dobbs’ irresponsible assertions about immigrants and their impact on our country and its institutions,” Gus West, THI board chair, said in making the announcement. He added that THI will work with other national Hispanic organizations to broaden support for the proposed boycott.
To read the full press release, click here.
Is it the heat of summer, the Iraq war, the healthcare crisis, the economy, the price of fuel? What is causing this xenophobia that hovers over this nation today? Why can’t we accept the millions of immigrants who have proven themselves to be honest, hard working residents into our communities.
Immigrants have contributed immeasurebly to our culture–their work ethic, their music, their art, their family values. When I did the research for my newest novel, THE IMMIGRANT, I was appalled at the cruel, calloused deportation policy and the inequalities afforded our immigrant neigbors that I found.
Have we forgotten that we are a nation of immigrants.
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