Latino Representation in the Media

“Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.” The Media Matters Action Network has released a report entitled: Fear & Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News.

An excerpt from their executive summary follows:

“There are many problems facing the United States today: a faltering economy, a health-care crisis, and the continuing war in Iraq, to name a few. But viewers of some of the most prominent cable news programs are presented a different reality in which one issue stands above all others: illegal immigration.

Media Matters Action Network undertook this study in order to document how immigration is discussed and debated on cable news. When it comes to immigration, cable news overflows not just with vitriolic rhetoric, but also with a series of myths that feed viewers’ resentment and fears, fostering hostility toward immigrants.”

If you are interested in a local take on this subject check out what the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network has to offer:

“”Many of you know that the physical struggle for immigrant rights is as important on the streets as it is in the discursive world of media and communications.

We extend an invite to you all to come support immigrant rights in the terrain of media by coming to the National Conference for Media Reform this Friday to Sunday!

MIFN will be presenting in a panel titled “When Media is the Second Issue: Connecting with Social Justice Organizations.”
To read more about this presentation click here: http://www.freepress.net/node/40059

When: Saturday, June 7th

Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm

Room: 205 C D

We hope you can come out and support!

In addition, we are organizing a media & immigration party for this Friday night to raise money to help us keep fueling the work we do with immigrant community members to ensure the media portrays the issue of immigration in a humanistic manner.

If you would like to help with this effort (distributing flyers, organizing the food, music, etc) please email or call Martha at martha@immigrantfreedomnetwork.org or 651-287-0660.

Lastly, support local media KFAI and Twin Cities Daily Planet for a welcoming the conference party this Thursday at Trocaderos, to learn more click here: http://www.freepress.net/conference/pre_conferences”