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July/August 2010 Newsletter
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Wed, 09/01/2010 - 20:48 — admin
In this issue:
President's Message This summer NHMC staff has been working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of Latinos in media. In the June newsletter I shared my testimony on the proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger that I presented before the Judiciary Committee of the United States House of Representatives. This month I am proud to report that after many months of negotiations, NHMC and its allies in the Latino community have signed a watershed Memorandum of Understanding with Comcast and NBCU. In this MOU, which is available for the public to view on the FCC's web-site, Comcast and NBCU commit to enhance opportunities for Latinos in their employment ranks, procurement practices, philanthropic endeavors, governance and programming services.
This program is not for beginners. It is for those writers who can write at least one half-hour comedy or one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. The program will commence on November 8th. For writing samples to be considered, the following must be submitted:
Tatiana Arizaga
There are several things that one can expect when it comes to summertime in D.C.: (1) that it will be unbearably hot and muggy, so much so that the generally pinned-up types are found walking around the city without (gasp) their suit jackets; (2) that the city will be overtaken by interns; and (3) that the typical workaholic folks that toil here year round will actually take vacation, with work coming to a near standstill in the blistering month of August. As per the norm, the first two are as true in 2010 as they are every year, however, this summer is different for those of us who work on media and telecommunications policy, in that we have been extremely busy with no August recess in sight. NHMC has been particularly focused on FCC reforms to expand broadband to low income communities, including communities of color. In the month of July alone, we filed a comment urging the FCC to provide for greater broadband access at schools and libraries, and two other comments asking the FCC to expand Lifeline and Link Up programs, which currently provide telephone discounts to low income customers, so that those programs can also discount broadband services (those two comments can be read here and here). NHMC Vice President of Policy & Legal Affairs, Jessica Gonzalez, briefed Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members on the importance of broadband in the Latino community at the CHC BOLD PAC Retreat in late July. A few days letter she presented on the same issue to a packed room of Congressional Hispanic Caucus staffers. A summary of her remarks is available here. NHMC has also been collaborating with counsel from Georgetown Law's Institute for Public Representation, to file numerous FCC comments aimed at diversifying the broadcast media. Those comments can be viewed here. Thanks are in order to Georgetown's Angela J. Campbell, Adrienne Biddings and Guilherme Roschke for their tireless efforts to preserve the public interest in diverse points of view in broadcast media. Finally, NHMC has undertaken efforts to help consumers understand and communicate with their telecommunications and media providers, as well as with the Federal Communications Commission. To that end, we have developed a "Consumer Info" tab on our web-site, and have filed comments with the New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative to advocate that cell phone providers be more transparent about their billing practices. NHMC thanks New America Foundation's Senior Policy Analyst, Benjamin Lennett, for his leadership in drafting comments to advance the rights of consumers, and Latinos in particular.
Click here to read our Media Policy Watch Update.
NHMC Applauds Union Tribune Decision to Create Latino Advisory Board
On July 28 Alex Nogales joined San Diego community leaders in a meeting with Union Tribune editor, Jeff Light, to discuss recent layoffs of Latino journalists, including famed national columnist Ruben Navarrette. To Union Tribune's credit they were receptive to the meeting and as a result a new Latino advisory board will be created that will provide recommendations for how the newspaper may best serve the Hispanic community.
Jeff Light
NHMC's Communications Coordinator, Tatiana Arizaga, attended the 2010 Netroots Nation Conference in Las Vegas from July 21 through July 26 through a scholarship received from ZeroDivide. A few of the trainings and panels offered included: Making Change through Persuasive Writing, Internet Freedom, Mobilizing Latinos Against Hate Speech, How Progressives can Avoid Demographic Pitfalls in 2010 and Beyond, Fighting the Right Wing with Racial Justice, The Obama Doctine, etc.
Amongst the many prominent individuals whom participated in the conference were House Leader Nancy Pelosi, MSNBC's Ed Schultz, Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winshtead, Nevada Senate Leader Steven Horsford and Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Each year, Netroots Nation provides activists a way to get plugged in to the online community and learn valuable skills and organizing tactics, while inspiring action and growing new ideas to affect change and bring back fresh ideas, new connections and energy to their communities. The 2011 Netroots Nation Conference will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NHMC Recommends.....
NHMC's Website
Recently we added a Consumer Info tab which provides basic information about the rules governing media and telecommunications Finally, don't miss our monthly newsletters, e-blasts, press releases, and videos, which are all archived on the website. We encourage all to visit us at http://www.nhmc.org. Give us your feedback by contacting Brenda Rivas at brivas@nhmc.org.
On June 30th, NHMC held its Quarterly Writer's Program Alumni Meeting at its Pasadena office. The guest speaker was the award winning writer, director and producer, Dennis Leoni, best known for his production of the show "Resurrection Blvd," which aired on Showtime from 2000-2002. Dennis enlightened the writers with tips on writing scripts for television and being chosen as a writer on a show. Dennis discussed the issue of Latinos supporting their own marketplace and how crucial that is to creating opportunities and building success for all Latinos in the future. He asked the audience if they owned the "Resurrection Blvd" series on DVD and seeing as how no one did, he said, "This is what I mean, being the largest marketplace makes no difference when we don't support each others products." After his presentation Dennis interacted with the writers individually. The alumni were very satisfied with his advice and guidance. NHMC thanks Dennis for his time and generosity. NHMC's New Conferencing Tool: Skype and video chat are ingenious tools that any one can have at their disposal. In an ever expanding world, Skype makes it easier to stay in contact with not only friends and family, but with colleagues and allies across the nation and around the world for FREE or at reasonably low prices. To learn more about Skype click here. CPB/PBS Diversity and Innovation Fund Request for Proposals: Weekly Primetime Series
This Request for Proposals from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), is the first from the Diversity and Innovation Fund, and is designed to solicit proposals to provide the NPS with a new, weekly, primetime series - content that will expand viewership and usage, reaching an adult audience on-air and online to reflect the diversity of the 40-64 year old US population. Click here for full information.
FCC Expands Efforts to Serve the Public
NHMC is particularly pleased to see that much of the information is also available in Spanish (click here ); we will urge the FCC to ensure that as time goes on all information be available in Spanish and other threshold languages. For those consumers that do not have Internet access or who prefer to communicate by phone, the FCC also takes phone calls in English and in Spanish at 1-888-CALL-FCC or 1-888-225-5322. The FCC is required by law to ensure that all consumers have affordable access to media and telecommunications services. If you believe that your media or telecommunications services are treating you unfairly please contact the FCC, or tell NHMC by e-mailing us at info@nhmc.org or calling us at 1-626-792-6462.
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NHMC recommends the latest play from Culture Clash and Richard Montoya tackling immigration in AMERICAN NIGHT: The Ballad of Juan José for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland from June 29th to October 31st. Directed by Jo Bonney, this prestigious venue is having Culture Clash premiere and launch the 10 year History Cycle Plays as part of OSF's 75 year history.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony Award®-winning creator, composer-lyricist and original star of Broadway's 2008's Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS will reprise the lead role of 'Usnavi' as the show celebrates its Southern California premiere engagement. This sensational new show about chasing your dreams and finding your true home features incredible Tony-winning dancing and a thrilling Tony-winning score. Travel with us on an exhilarating journey into a vibrant Manhattan community - a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Experience the next chapter of the classic American story at the most joyous, exciting and award-winning new musical on Broadway. Find out what it takes to make a living, what it costs to have a dream, and what it means to be home...IN THE HEIGHTS. Now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood until July 25th. For more information or to order tickets online
Over the past few months NHMC has been using Skype as a communication source for long-distance conference calls amongst the team. Skype calls have been connecting us from Los Angeles to D.C. to Cambridge and more.
NHMC congratulates the FCC's Bureau for Consumer and Governmental Affairs for its recent updates to its web-page, making more information about technology issues easily accessible to the public. Consumers can learn about anything from how to be placed on the Do-Not-Call Registry, to how parents can protect their children online, to how to complain about a local broadcaster's failure to serve its community by visiting