Murguía Meets with CNN on Cable Hate Speech, MSNBC Next

Two of the nation’s three major cable networks agreed to meet with the National Council of La Raza to discuss its concerns about their encouraging hate speech. NCLR president Janet Murguía sent a letter Jan. 30 requesting to discuss the issue with the chief executive officers of the three networks.

The first session, with CNN Worldwide president Jim Walton was set for Feb. 21. By press time. neither organization responded to Weekly Report’s inquiries as to whether any understanding was reached.

The second meeting, with Murguía and MSNBC, is set for March 14.

“Fox News has sent us a written response which suggests that they may not be interested in a meeting; we have responded to them and are waiting to see what happens,” said Cecilia Muñoz, Senior VP of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at NCLR.

The letters requested that they stop inviting anti-immigrant extremists on their shows as experts on the immigration debate.

The National Council of La Raza launched its “We Can Stop the Hate,” campaign Jan 31. “to unmask the presence of hate groups and extremists on the immigration debate, especially on major cable networks.”

Muñoz added, “Many more organizations have notified us that they are writing letters to the networks as well. The response has been really encouraging.”

Since NCLR launched the campaign and its website www.WeCanStopTheHate.org, it has received an overwhelming positive response and the number of supporters has increased, Muñoz said.

Next on the NCLR agenda is taking a closer look at electoral campaigns. “We expect a number of congressional and local races to focus on the immigration issue, and intend to call them on it if they use materials or spokespeople from hate or extremist groups,” she said.

The website allows anyone to get involved or just stay informed with its weekly updates on the impact extremist groups are having on immigrant communities. Muñoz said, “We’re taking it one step at a time, but are very serious about achieving success. We hope this is a campaign that will enlist people from across all communities.”

This post was written by Hispanic Link reporter Emily Ruiz.

For more, visit www.hispaniclink.org.