The Latin American population in the US is quickly growing, making the largest minority population in the US. Tonight's American Forum, sponsored by AU's School of Communication, chose to focus on the coverage of Latin American issues both in the States, and their own respective countries.
It has been suggested that anti-American (or Anti-Bush) sentiment is growing in Latin America. Latin Americans also face many challenges because of the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, increasingly left-leaning governments, and the limited freedom of journalists due to censorship and other dangers. The US Media has been accused of not covering the issues properly, while reporters within these countries face roadblocks as well.
Panelists:
Jose Carreno - US Correspondent, El Universal
Rick Rockwell - AU SOC Professor
Paulo Sotero - director, Brazil Institute, Latin American Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Moderator:
Marc McDonald - SOC Broadcast Journalist in Residence
Themes addressed in Tonight's panel:
- A Selfish America - Every panelist touched on the idea that the United States covers Latin American issues depending on how it best serves their domestic or foreign policies, whether they be political or economic. Rockwell criticized the US for missing important nuances in Latin American issues that could possibly impact the US later.
- US Cable/Network News vs. BBC News - Rockwell and Sotero expressed disappointment in coverage of Latin American issues by the US Media -- particularly that of CNN. Sotero even said that coverage was repulsive and racist, such as Lou Dobb’s Broken Borders series. Carreno expressed disappointment in the rise of opinion and editorial type coverage in CNN, rather than hard news. Rockwell and Sotero both said they increasingly turn to the BBC for their news. Panelists highlighted the idea that news in the US, particularly cable news networks, are focused on getting higher ratings, rather than being responsible journalists.
- Challenges for Latin American Journalists - Sotero called the actions of many journalists in South America heroic, particularly those who cover drug-related and corruptions issues. Many of these reporters put their lives (as well as the lives of their families) on the line to report these types of stories. Carreno said that these journalists either take bribes or bullets for some of the work that they do. He also said that various governments either use these journalists to their own advantage to spread propaganda, or do not provide enough protection and freedom for them. Rockwell said that reporting in many Latin American countries is just about as dangerous as reporting in Iraq.
