On Wednesday, June 20, 2012 these 23 media outlets will cease their regularly rescheduled programs air “Hoy Somos Arizona” (Today We Are Arizona). The 30-minute broadcast will air from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on TV and radio stations in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. It can also be seen online by audiences nationwide on www.hoysomosarizona.com.
Mary Rabago of Univision, Janet Rodriguez of Telemundo, and Ossman Padilla of Azteca America, will be the show’s presenters. Tania Torres Marquez is the executive producer of “Hoy Somos Arizona’s” commercial-free broadcast.
The idea for this collaborative effort germinated several weeks ago when Ben Monterroso, national executive director of Mi Familia Vota Education Fund organized a meeting with the Arizona Spanish-language media. During that meeting, media representatives discussed the massive amounts of emails and phone calls they were receiving from the Hispanic community regarding concerns and confusion over what may happen once the U.S. Supreme Court rules on Ariz SB1070.
Despite their well known competitiveness, all the media outlets agreed to work together to produce a special program to address some the questions, creating a “road block” on TV and radio.
“For years Latino media outlets have captured with their cameras the effects that anti-immigrant and anti-Latino policies and legislation can have on the Latino community. With this program they have taken the steps necessary to unite the community and empower individuals with the information they need to defend their rights and take control of their own destinies,” said Monterroso.
Univision, Telemundo, Azteca America, Estrella TV, Entravision Radio, La Onda, La Voz, Liberman Broadcasting, News Taco, Prensa Hispana, Radio Fiesta, TeleFutura and Univision Radio are the participating media outlets.
“Hoy Somos Arizona” will consist of several news stories produced by the participating media outlets on the following topics: A look at how we got here starting with Proposition 187 in California to the current U.S. Supreme Court decision on SB 1070; What’s on the table?: A review of the four key provisions of the law and what they mean; Know your rights: An interview with a civil rights lawyer; and The impact of SB 1070 on families: An interview with a family separated by SB 1070. The show was taped outside the Arizona State Legislature – where SB 1070 was first introduced in 2010.
As part of the never-before-seen public awareness initiative, organizers have set up toll-free hotline number – 1-855-RESPETO or 1-855-737-7386 – where people will be able to call starting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. MST. The phone bank will be staffed by bilingual volunteers and civil rights attorneys that will answer callers’ questions.
Additionally, there will be information on how to register to vote and key election dates provided throughout the news program courtesy of Mi Familia Vota.
Media executives gathered outside the Arizona State Capitol on Monday to announce plans for this special program during a press conference and spoke as to why they’re participating in this state-wide media campaign.
“The message is clear! The Spanish-language media will unite when our community calls. It is our responsibility and an obligation,” stated Araceli De Leon, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Telemundo Southwest stations.
“This unfortunate incident has taught us all an important lesson: it’s time to change our attitude. We have to wake up and be informed so that we are united now more than ever,” said Efrain Morales, General Manager, Azteca America TV
“Bigger accomplishments happen when we work together; this broadcast leads us to that path. The transformation starts with us!” affirmed Laura Madrid, general manager of La Onda-KNUV 1190AM