National Hispanic Media Coalition

NHMC Statement on Comcast’s Proposed Acquisition of Time Warner Cable

The National Hispanic Media Coalition filed comments at the Federal Communications Commission in response to its Public Notice seeking input on Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable.

The comments urge the FCC to incorporate a number of critical questions on how the acquisition would affect Latinos into its public interest analysis.

NHMC is calling on the Commission to examine how the acquisition would impact: Latino programmers and Latino-themed content carriage and distribution; pay TV and Internet affordability; data caps, overage fees and usage-based pricing; Comcast’s Internet Essentials program; customer service; business relationships with other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD); the Open Internet; regional sports networks; and jobs.

NHMC Responds to Lobbyist Martin Chavez, Questions HTTP’s Corporate Ties

My friend Marty Chavez of the Ibarra Strategy Group and the Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) responded to a statement I recently made highlighting his participation in a very unbalanced event, hosted on July 9, 2014 by the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute and sponsored by Verizon, AT&T and Comcast, where he and others opposed strong Open Internet rules.

I had questioned whether or not it is appropriate for him to simultaneously represent the interests of corporate clients while asserting that he is working on behalf of the Latino community.

Of the many fabrications, Marty said that ‘most Latino organizations’ oppose the Federal Communications Commission using the sound legal authority found in Title II of the Communications Act to restrict blocking or discrimination online. This is patently false. A number of highly respected Latino organizations have sided with the community and come out in favor of strong Open Internet rules based on Title II authority.

Voices for Internet Freedom to FCC: Reclassify Internet Service Providers as Common Carriers

The Voices for Internet Freedom coalition filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on behalf of more than 50 civil rights, human rights, community-based and media organizations in support of strong network neutrality rules that protect the digital rights of communities of color.

In the filing, the groups called on the FCC to treat Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as common carriers, which would allow the Commission to reestablish its legal authority to adopt Net Neutrality rules that prevent telecommunications companies from blocking, discriminating against and interfering with Web traffic.

The coalition also called on the agency to ensure Net Neutrality protections are applied equally to both wireline and wireless Internet access. The group opposes the framework for FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposed rules, which would allow ISPs to discriminate by creating fast and slow lanes online.

Open Internet Panelists’ Ties to Industry Exposed

In response to the Capitol Hill briefing on network neutrality hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute and sponsored by Verizon, AT&T and Comcast on July 10:

“Some of the panelists have well-documented ties to the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that stand to gain the most if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceeds with its proposed rules for a paid fast lane. Indeed, one panelist, my friend, Martin Chavez, who spoke on the panel on behalf of the Hispanic Telecommunications and Technology Partnership (HTTP), is both a Senior Advisor to HTTP and a Consultant at the Ibarra Strategy Group, a lobbying firm that counts Verizon amongst its clientele. Let me be very clear – HTTP is nothing more than an industry front-group that is at best misinformed and at worst intentionally distorting facts as it actively opposes efforts to better serve the communications needs of Latinos.”

New Initiative Launched to Increase Latino Inclusion in News Coverage

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) has launched the Latino Experts Program, funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation and created to increase the visibility of Latino experts in local news coverage.

NHMC president and CEO Alex Nogales training Latino leaders to speak in media. Over a two-year span, NHMC trained more than 100 Latino leaders, representing various fields of expertise and based in 12 television markets, to speak in media.

“Latinos are an integral part of the American social fabric, but you wouldn’t know that from watching the news,” said Alex Nogales, President and CEO of NHMC, a multiple Emmy Award-winning producer who led the trainings. “It’s time for the media to reflect reality. There are thousands upon thousands of Latino experts in their field, working to make this country better for all Americans. Latino views and faces are essential for balanced and responsible coverage, and yet they are still largely excluded. We now have the opportunity to transform this by elevating Latino perspectives on the issues shaping our country.”

NHMC has provided lists of these experts as resources for local television stations to ensure a wider range of viewpoints on their news and public affairs programs.