In this issue:

• NHMC’s 14th Annual Impact Awards Gala
• Take Action Against Jose Luis Sin Censura
• Free Press:National Conference for Media Reform
• LPFM Victory
• N*W*C Comedy Act
• NBCU Short Cuts Festival

NHMC’s 14th Annual Impact Awards Gala

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) celebrated their 14th Annual Impact Awards Gala on February 25, 2011 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The glitzy evening began with a champagne reception accompanied by acoustic music performances. While the champagne reception welcomed guests, the red carpet room was abundant with press who awaited the arrival of the 2011 NHMC Impact Award honorees. Gala co-MC, "Extra" TV Host, Mario Lopez and 2011 Honoree Robert Rodriguez Some in the press crowd called for the attention of the MC’s of the night, "Extra" TV host Mario Lopez and actress Michelle Rodriguez, while others whooped when Danny Trejo showed off his "Machete" coat. And indeed the crowd grew frenzied when actress Zoë Saldana entered the room. Producer Robert Rodriguez encountered endless interviews while on the red carpet and proceeded backstage to enjoy the company of his long-time friend and award presenter, Cheech Marin. Zoë Saldana The evening’s program opened with a commemorative video of the 25 years of history and achievements of NHMC. Alex Nogales, NHMC’s President & CEO, was honored to present the first Impact Award of the night to Daniel Hernandez for his Outstanding Service to the Community following his courageous act that helped save the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in Tucson, Arizona. Zoë Saldana received the Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture Impact Award for her role in "Avatar." During her acceptance speech, Zoë thanked NHMC for her award and proclaimed her Latino and Dominican pride. Danny Trejo received the Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture Impact Award for his role in "Machete," and Dr. Isabel Gómez-Bassols received the Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Latino Community Impact Award. Cheech Marin presented Robert Rodriguez with the Visionary Impact Award for his outstanding achievements as a film producer and director. Indeed, it was a great evening full of Latino stars. Other present celebrities included Vikki Carr, Aimee Garcia, Lisa Vidal, and Enrique Castillo amongst others. Stay tuned on NHMC’s website for pictures and videos of the gala including the honoree’s speeches.

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Take Action Against Jose Luis Sin Censura

Help Put a Stop to Anti-LGBT Attacks on the Spanish-Language Program "José Luis Sin Censura" Sex. Profanity. Nudity. Violence. Intense anti-gay themes, rhetoric and violence. Unedited. Condoned. Applauded. And all accessible over the public airwaves in the middle of the day when children are likely to be present in the audience. This program is extremely harmful to our children because of the way it treats gays, lesbians, and women. The show airs twice daily on broadcast television across the country on Estrella TV’s Spanish-language program, José Luis Sin Censura. NHMC and GLAAD have filed a complaint with the FCC concerning Jose Luis Sin Censura. However, the FCC needs to also hear from you. Please act now to let the FCC know that you think Spanish-language broadcasters should have to play by the same rules as their English-language counterparts. Please visit NHMC’s new policy blog to read more about this program. To take action against this vile program, please visit www.nhmc.org/joseluissincensura.

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Free Press: Naitonal Conference For MediaReform

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will kick off the National Conference for Media Reform! NCRM On April 8-10, NHMC is heading to Boston with thousands of activists, media makers, journalists and others who are committed to changing the media and changing the world at the National Conference for Media Reform. Our friends at Free Press, the conference hosts, have extended a discount offer to NHMC members to attend the National Conference for Media Reform, so you can join us in Boston too! The event brings together thousands of activists, media makers, educators, academics, journalists and policymakers who want better media. It’s three jam-packed days of speeches, panels, hands-on workshops, meetings, film screenings, live entertainment, parties and more and includes our very own Alex Nogales and Jessica Gonzalez examining the extent and effects of hate speech in media and strategies to hold the media accountable to responsible journalism. Other speakers include grassroots leaders Malkia Cyril and Rinku Sen, Federal Communications Commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn, Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig, former White House technology adviser Susan Crawford, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Democracy Now! hosts Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, as well as dozens of others who will be announced in the weeks ahead. Register online (http://ncmr11.eventbrite.com/) with the code "NHMC_NCMR" to receive the special NHMC member discount. This discount is only valid until March 25,2011, so be sure to register today! NCMR is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the future of journalism and public media, consider how technology is changing the world, and discuss strategies to build the movement for better media.

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LPFM Victory

After 10 years of struggle, the Local Community Radio Act was finally signed into law, opening up the opportunity for the largest expansion in the number of community radio stations in U.S. history. Prometheus Radio Project anticipates that low power FM (LPFM) radio stations will be allowed in several major urban areas for the first time. Locally based non profits, cities, schools, and churches will be able to apply for non-commercial licenses. Licenses could be available as early as the beginning of 2012. Regional application windows will likely be only five days long and announced a few months in advance, it is imperative that groups are prepared to apply well in advance of the opening. After they receive their license, a group will have 3 years to build their station. Construction and equipment costs can range between $10,000-$50,000 to launch stations. Grants and other fundraising efforts can help defray these costs for community groups. NHMC is happy to support Prometheus Radio Project in its effort to mobilize and support community groups to gain access to these channels, in particular those groups that have been systematically marginalized from media access such as people of color, immigrants, the poor, women, emerging musicians, and youth. If you are interested in starting a station, go to www.prometheusradio.org/want_to_start_a_station.

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N*W*C

The smash comedy with the name nobody wants to say returns to Los Angeles. N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk is a comedy act with a purposely controversial name that advocates for the elimination of prejudicial language and behavior against Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asians. N*W*C blends theater, stand-up comedy, hip-hop, slam poetry, and the real-life stories of three tour-de-force performers. Tickets are on sale now at www.itsmyseat.com/NWC. NHMC members can enter promo code "GOGONWC" to get a 15% discount. For more information check out www.NWClive.com.

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NBCU Short Cuts Festiva

NBC Universal is now accepting submissions for their 6th Annual Short Cuts Festival. Short Cuts provides creative individuals of diverse backgrounds an opportunity to get their materials in front of key decision makers from the entire NBC Universal family as well as agents, managers, producers, and other industry players. Short Cuts is much more than presenting films, NBC Universal’s goal is to display and celebrate diversity in entertainment. This is the ultimate showcase for writers, directors, actors and filmmakers from all over the country. For more info go to The smash comedy with the name nobody wants to say returns to Los Angeles. N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk is a comedy act with a purposely controversial name that advocates for the elimination of prejudicial language and behavior against Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asians. N*W*C blends theater, stand-up comedy, hip-hop, slam poetry, and the real-life stories of three tour-de-force performers. Tickets are on sale now atwww.itsmyseat.com/NWC. NHMC members can enter promo code "GOGONWC" to get a 15% discount. For more information check out www.NWClive.com.

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The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a non-profit, media advocacy organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media industry, and advocate for media and telecommunications policies that benefit the Latino community.]]>