Por Un Amor

[SOURCE: Riedel Communications]
[Commentary] Why is the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) supporting the Baby Bells as they enter the pay-TV market? Is it because of Verizon’s Spanish language package, their “En Espanol” tier, which includes channels such as Canal Sur, Discovery en Espanol, TV E International, MTV Espanol, CNN en Espanol and Toon Disney en Espanol, among other listings? Could be, but cable operators offer similar tiers. Is it because Verizon gives $35k/year to LULAC? Or is it the $1 million SBC Communications recently donated for a LULAC project called “Empower Hispanic America With Technology Project Centers?” Shame that what’s being lost in this discussion is the complete destruction of local Spanish language programming found thriving on public access channels. The kind of Spanish language programming that doesn't just reheat English language programming but digs down deep into what’s going on in Hispanic lives, real lives. The kind of Spanish language programming that gives a voice to the Hispanic community and doesn't just see them as consumers and target markets. This support for the national video franchising legislation has pitted LULAC against the NAACP and the National Conference of Black Mayors who understand that obliterating local franchising will impact minority communities adversely, not just because of the redlining or the loss of PEG, but from the loss of revenue to local communities those franchise fees provide. I don't know if there is any way to change LULAC’s mind on this one. Too bad cable didn't step up to the plate with a million, but at least they should squash Verizon’s PR that they are offering something unique to the Spanish language viewers. And I don't say that because I just love the cable guys, I don't. I say that because I would hate to lose localism because one side or another was a better liar.
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