Campaign Against Hate Speech in Media. NHMC will continue to fight the harms caused by hate speech in media by asking the federal government to examine the relationship between hate speech and hate crimes. NHMC will, in collaboration with the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, produce several studies analyzing the incidence and effects of hate speech. NHMC will hold local broadcasters accountable for irresponsible anti-Latino rhetoric, and will promote civil online discourse and seek to curtail cyber-bullying.
Universal Broadband. Studies show that Latinos, African Americans and the poor lag behind other demographic groups when it comes to broadband adoption, and that cost is a primary barrier to adoption. Many educational and occupational opportunities are only available online, thus broadband is a necessary tool for success. NHMC will continue to advocate that the universal service fund, currently used to subsidize telephone connections in rural areas and in poor households, be extended to subsidize broadband Internet access as well.
Network Neutrality. The Internet is a democratizing force where Latinos, and others that mainstream media has pushed aside for decades, can tell their stories fairly and accurately. At the end of 2010, the FCC issued an order to ensure that Internet service providers not be allowed to block or degrade access to any content. Unfortunately, the FCC did not fully extend these rules to mobile Internet service providers. This is a big problem because many Latinos rely exclusively on their mobile phones to get online. NHMC will urge the FCC to strengthen its mobile rules, and will monitor and report to the FCC any mobile providers that are acting unfairly or in contravention of the new rules.
Media Industry Diversity. Latinos comprise over 15% of the U.S., but only own 1.1% of TV stations and 2.9% of radio stations. NHMC will advocate for policies and opportunities to diversify broadcast and other media platforms, in terms of ownership, leadership and employment. It will seek greater transparency from media companies on their diversity figures. It will monitor and report on diversity efforts at ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and Comcast pursuant to Memoranda of Understanding it has with those entities. Finally, NHMC will celebrate passage of the Local Community Radio Act by educating individuals and organizations about how to apply for their own low power radio stations so that they may bring more diverse voices to their local airwaves.
Public Interest Obligations of Broadcasters. The FCC must preserve the public interest in diversity, competition and localism over broadcast channels. NHMC will advocate for policies to that end. When NHMC learns that broadcasters are falling short on this duty, it will promptly urge them to cure their wrongdoings and, when necessary, petition the FCC for remedial action.
Consumer Protection. The evolution of technology brings with it not only wonderful innovations that make our lives easier, but also new dangers and opportunities for companies to abuse their power in billing and privacy. NHMC will provide the latest consumer protection information on its web-site, and will fight for policies to protect individuals from predatory business practices, exorbitant prices and privacy violations.
Positive Portrayals of Latinos in Media. This year NHMC celebrates its 25th year of improving the image of Latinos as portrayed by the media. NHMC anticipates that Latinos will face unique challenges in 2011, as anti-Latino, anti-immigrant measures continue to spring up across the country. NHMC will hold media accountable if they fail to provide accurate and balanced portrayals of Latinos in news and entertainment programming. NHMC will continue its work to ensure more employment and procurement opportunities for Latinos in media.
