Heroes. These journalists are front-line heroes. Long may the US Constitution stand not just for our human rights and freedom of speech here, but as inspiration in nations that are not so lucky.
13
It's one thing now to keep viewers up to date on the facts. But what responsibility did Univision bear in condemning illegal immigration during its opinion programs or communicating the dangers and risks of deportation during dry news programming over the last several decades?
My guess is Univision did none of that because it would have been anathema to the size of its US audience and advertising revenue. If that's true, then this company which now pretends to hold the Trump administration to account is as guilty of getting us to this point that made a Trump administration possible.
My guess is Univision did none of that because it would have been anathema to the size of its US audience and advertising revenue. If that's true, then this company which now pretends to hold the Trump administration to account is as guilty of getting us to this point that made a Trump administration possible.
2
Talk about blaming the messenger! Dude, pluh-lese . . .
3
Univision has NO responsibility to do that. I do not hear CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN or any news network doing that either. Doing so would not be news, but editorial comment. Do I detect a twinge of anti-Spanish language media and people in your comment?
6
What I haven't heard is any outlet besides WNYC radio that hires non-native English speakers, with their accents and all, to broadcast on the air. Some of the best journalists I've heard have been native Spanish-speakers speaking English on a radio station that hired for quality, not for bloodlines.
12
Goodness, compared to the NYT, what media outlet ISN'T activist?
Seems the only concept missing from this piece is the recognition that many of the visitors (from Mexico and elsewhere) do not observe our immigration laws and a country that observes the Rule of Law must enforce laws that are on the books. NO ONE has been focusing on those immigrants that are here legally (and are therefore documented) only those that come across our borders secretly or overstay their visas. Rutenberg, the NYT, Univision and all supporters of these organizations seem to believe that the ends justifies the means, that if visitors ignore laws, but for a good reason, that's ok.
Sorry, it's not. And by taking this position the NYT, Univision and the author surrender any credibility and that is why the American people reject these outlets (non credible journalism is the same as fake news). Screaming about Trump being like Chavos or Hitler doesn't distract America or legitimatize illegitimate agendas or illegal immigrants (which is what they are).
Sorry, it's not. And by taking this position the NYT, Univision and the author surrender any credibility and that is why the American people reject these outlets (non credible journalism is the same as fake news). Screaming about Trump being like Chavos or Hitler doesn't distract America or legitimatize illegitimate agendas or illegal immigrants (which is what they are).
8
Yes, you are "confused".
4
This is real journalism with passion. These are strong, battle-honed reporters with love for, and understanding of their audience. The comment by someone calling themself "Confused," IS. What evidence do you have these journalists are illegal? If you're illegal, a) you cannot be hired and b) you're not going to get on TV. Foreign nationals are routinely hired by U.S. companies, which get them work visas. Duh.
4
Univision is the speartip of a fifth column that undermines our republic. Their broadcast license should be revoked.
2
They are nothing of the kind. We have always had foreign language media in this country, since its inception. We have also had undocumented immigrants, always.
I admit that my Irish relatives came to this country illegally in the 1840s. At the time it was practically impossible for the Irish to enter the US legally. The country was going through one of its periodic bouts of anti-immigrant hysteria, compounded by anti-Catholic feeling whipped up by slaveowning interests who wanted a land-grab war against Mexico. And the Irish, fleeing a famine-ridden land, were desperately poor.
However, the British government was promoting Irish emigration to Canada, in hopes of drowning out the French-speaking population. The British plan didn't work: most Irish had no desire to remain under the British flag, and economic conditions were better in the US, so the Irish walked across the border.
But the Irish were by no means the only undocumented immigrants.
I have no use for Univision's Miami-Cuban-based rightwing political slant in its Latin American news coverage, which a lot of Latinos in this country also object to, but it's a ridiculous stretch to call it a fifth column. Latinos do, however, deserve a network that is politically more balanced than either Univision or Telemundo, both run from Miami.
I admit that my Irish relatives came to this country illegally in the 1840s. At the time it was practically impossible for the Irish to enter the US legally. The country was going through one of its periodic bouts of anti-immigrant hysteria, compounded by anti-Catholic feeling whipped up by slaveowning interests who wanted a land-grab war against Mexico. And the Irish, fleeing a famine-ridden land, were desperately poor.
However, the British government was promoting Irish emigration to Canada, in hopes of drowning out the French-speaking population. The British plan didn't work: most Irish had no desire to remain under the British flag, and economic conditions were better in the US, so the Irish walked across the border.
But the Irish were by no means the only undocumented immigrants.
I have no use for Univision's Miami-Cuban-based rightwing political slant in its Latin American news coverage, which a lot of Latinos in this country also object to, but it's a ridiculous stretch to call it a fifth column. Latinos do, however, deserve a network that is politically more balanced than either Univision or Telemundo, both run from Miami.
10
Do you know why Spanish-speaking residents are frightened and information-famished? Thanks to networks such as Univision whose news repertoire consists mainly of murder, robbery, and rape stories presented in a manner that elicits fear. As laudable as it may be that now they are informing the public about immigration raids, just like their other stories it all seems designed to keep this audience ignorant, afraid, and addicted --raising the network's ratings.
4
As a spanish-speaker, I completely agree. For years, Univision's reporting consisted of violent crime stories, celebrity gossip, and other irrelevant trash. Now that violence has largely declined, immigration is the new boogeyman. Kudos to them for keeping the administration in check for immigrants across the country, though you have to wonder where this voice was during the Obama administration.
I take it your are fluent in Spanish and can understand the journalists reports.
1
Univision has always been a model corporate citizen. They have a long history of supporting community based organizations with outreach and covering issues of concern for Latinos. I am so glad to read this article and know they are putting together a top flight team of reporters, especially accustomed to dictatorships. Will watch their news again regularly.
9
Thanks for this excellent report. It has not been my custom, but I will make Univision one of my primary sources for news going forward.
19
Why is there a need for Univision? Are these folks incapable of learning English?? If they are then remove them from the U.S. I don't see a channel for all of the other languages here. No Chinese. No German. No French. Where do the Latino's think they rank??
2
Hmmm ... I'm looking at the list of channels available to me. I see Polish, Italian, Chinese, Israeli, Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Indian (South Asian), among others.
8
Look at the channel offerings of satellite and cable companies in the United States. There are packages of channels in all the languages you just mentioned and many more beyond that.
If there was no "need," as you allege, then Univision and other Spanish outlets would go out of business.
If there was no "need," as you allege, then Univision and other Spanish outlets would go out of business.
15
Any American that has ever lived outside the US understands the need for news and entertainment in their native language. Even if you speak the language of the country in which you live at your workplace, the grocery store etc, when you come home, it's so much easier to speak English. You don't speak to your spouse in the language of the country in which you live, you speak English. You don't say "I love you" to your kids in another language, you say it in your first language, English. If you were sent by your company to live in Mexico or Germany for an assignment and were watching the Super Bowl on satellite with some other American friends from work, wouldn't you be speaking in English? Most Latinos living in the US speak English to some degree- don't assume that they don't when you hear them speaking amongst themselves....
26
[[Just another day covering President Trump’s America at Univision News.]]
It is not "Trump's America." Stop repeating that.
It's just America.
Don't give people power over yourself.
It is not "Trump's America." Stop repeating that.
It's just America.
Don't give people power over yourself.
12
Bravo!
7
Fleeing Maduro only to end up in a country led by Trump.
Thank God we have the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and
Thank God we have the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and
14
as I was saying...
our independent institutions, legal and journalistic. We will survive Trump, I'm not sure the Venezuelans will survive Moduro without bloodshed and disorder.
our independent institutions, legal and journalistic. We will survive Trump, I'm not sure the Venezuelans will survive Moduro without bloodshed and disorder.
10
I look at Univision (its D.C. affiliate) when I'm on the treadmill in my local health club, with subtitles, to improve my Spanish, and have noticed the increase in reporting that this article talks about. I also notice the ads for attorneys who can help with immigration issues.
There is a dearth of reporting on any issues important to Latin America. I wish some of this reporting could be published in English. In the current climate, it might prove dangerous, however.
There is a dearth of reporting on any issues important to Latin America. I wish some of this reporting could be published in English. In the current climate, it might prove dangerous, however.
21
The personal stories of these journalists should be a reminder of how lucky we have been to have a free press, which both informs and exposes the public to on matters related to the government, which would prefer to hide its activities. Unfortunately, right wing media outlets: Fox, Breitbart, Alex Jones, etc., have demonized this very needed and sometimes dangerous profession. To top it off, Donald Trump has done the most to consistently debase journalism, urging his followers to believe that reporting facts is somehow a liberal agenda and should be regarded as fake. To Univision, the NYT, and the Washington Post, along with the thousands of others at smaller papers, please keep up the important and necessary work.
32
For those of you who do not think laws, facts and consequences of actions are legitimate, the NYT and Univision will be happy to keep up their (important?) work so you can feel smug in your on world. TSK TSK.
2
I don't think you know anything about me or my background enough to say how I regard rule of law, the consequence of action, or what constitutes fact. I just live in reality - a reality where illegal immigrants are punished and demonized, whereas the real culprits are the people who enable this type of immigration: employers in the agriculture and food sector, rich people who are too busy to raise their own children, large casinos who are willing to take advantage of workers and deny them their rights, etc.,. Immigration, like any issue fundamental to the fabric of our country is not simply black and white, this or that. There is nuance and it's not Univision and the NYT who are complicit in creating or propagating this situation. If you think kicking people out ends the matter, then you have a lot to learn - one thing you will learn is that your fellow, legal citizens, don't like and are not willing to do the back breaking work so many illegal immigrants do without complaint. And what then?
4
'' That role can lead to charges that Univision is more an activist organization than a journalistic one, which the newsroom here rejects. ''
That seems to be the favorite attack by those that would not want to see facts, science and crucial information get out to the masses, instead of the propaganda and fake news that permeates. It is not activism to offer such facts, but a badly needed public service.
It is a sad state of affairs that about a fifth of the population of the US must turn to a news organization for that straight information, instead of actually getting it from the government that is supposed to work for them.
Very sad.
That seems to be the favorite attack by those that would not want to see facts, science and crucial information get out to the masses, instead of the propaganda and fake news that permeates. It is not activism to offer such facts, but a badly needed public service.
It is a sad state of affairs that about a fifth of the population of the US must turn to a news organization for that straight information, instead of actually getting it from the government that is supposed to work for them.
Very sad.
27
What is sad is the mental attitude that ignoring laws is ok in the USA.
2
Well, "Confused" . . . there you go again!
1
FWIW the caption of the lead photograph shows "The Univision newsroom in Florida" with the big 23 on the wall. I switch back and forth between Comcast and a broadcast antenna, it's not unusual for Univision to broadcasting some entertainment show while 23 in Miami is showing a live news program. I prefer the local broadcast version of Univision.
3
Bravo. The fourth estate and the First Amendment may keep this country going.
25
Secondly, Univision is mostly garbage programming. I know because I speak Spanish fluently and without an accent. Educated Hispanics avoid it like the plague, as it's mostly telenovelas and booty-shaking variety shows. Educated Hispanics speak and read English, so they have access to all media. If they want news in Spanish, they turn to large Latin American newspapers and websites, not Univision.