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GLAAD, NATIONAL HISPANIC MEDIA COALITION LAUNCH FCC COMPLAINT AGAINST LIBERMAN BROADCASTING FOR OBSCENE SPANISH-LANGUAGE PROGRAM
Rich Ferraro
Director of Communications, GLAAD
(646) 871-8011
ferraro@glaad.org
Tatiana Arizaga
Director of Communications & Media, NHMC
(626) 792-6462
tarizaga@nhmc.org
Yana Walton
VP of Communications, WMC
(347) 813-1323
yana@womensmediacenter.org
Online Press Conference featuring Presidents of GLAAD and NHMC on February 28, 2011, 1PM EST
Los Angeles, CA, February 28, 2011 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) today filed a joint complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Liberman Broadcasting, Inc. and KRCA, a broadcast television station serving the Los Angeles area. The complaint is in response to a string of broadcasts of the Spanish-language television talk show "José Luis Sin Censura," which often contains indecent, profane, and obscene material, offensive language, nudity, and on-air verbal and physical attacks against women as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The organizations also launched an online action [http://www.change.org/petitions/help-put-a-stop-to-anti-lgbt-attacks-on-the-spanish-language-program-jose-luis-sin-censura] with the Women's Media Center (WMC) where concerned community members and allies can send e-mails to the FCC supporting the complaint or file their own complaints based on episodes they have witnessed.
GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios and NHMC President Alex Nogales will discuss the FCC complaint during an online press conference on February 28, 2011 at 1PM EST / 10AM PST. To access the streaming footage please visit [http://www.glaad.org/jlsc/pressconference].
In over twenty episodes that aired between June 18 and December 7, 2010, the program contained images and language of the nature that is never displayed or is bleeped out of pre-taped English-language programs of the same nature, including the words "pinche" ("f*cking" in English) and "culero" ("assf*cker"), anti-gay language, including epithets such as ""maricón," "joto" and "puñal" (or "f*ggot"), and anti-Latino slurs, such as "mojado" ("wetback"). The program frequently featured blatant nudity and female guests have been shown in violent fights. Hypersexualized images of women's breasts and genitals while stripping for male guests and audience members also make up routine offerings. Guests and audience members were often incited to engage in verbal and even physical attacks, especially against people perceived to be LGBT. Many episodes showed the audience standing and shouting anti-gay epithets and profanity at guests.
"This is certainly not the standard being set by other Spanish-language news and entertainment media, most of which continue to improve in presenting stories of the LGBT community that grow acceptance," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "It is extremely disturbing to see a show like 'José Luis Sin Censura' air this violent language with impunity and without any regard for the safety of our community. At a time when LGBT youth and adults face harassment and violence, it is unacceptable for media to fuel such a climate of intolerance about our community." Last year, GLAAD issued a Call to Action against the program after a June 8 episode showed the audience repeatedly shouting "maricón" and "puñal" ("f*ggot") at a guest. The same pattern then occurred just two days later on June 10. GLAAD took action and nearly 1,000 supporters sent a petition registering their concerns with the show and LBI. In 2005, GLAAD led protests against the show which prompted KFC, Chevrolet and Nissan to pull advertising.
"I am outraged that Liberman Broadcasting is airing this filth at any time of day, no less in the middle of the day when our children are likely to be in the audience," stated NHMC's President and CEO, Alex Nogales. "This program is WAY overboard, and goes far beyond a fleeting moment of expletives or nudity. This is pre-taped, pre-meditated smut, designed to do nothing more than titillate and shock the audience. I have never seen anything like this on English-language television – José Luis makes Jerry Springer look like Mr. Rogers." Nogales added, "I am alarmed that José Luis seems to normalize violence and hate against LGBT people. At a time when so much hate is being directed towards Latinos in this country, we know firsthand that hate and violence have no place in our dialogue." Nogales, a long-time critic of what he sees as a pattern of weak FCC enforcement of its rules against Spanish-language broadcasters, was also responsible for urging the FCC to levy the largest fine ever against a Spanish-language broadcaster, Univision, who in 2007 paid $24 million for failing to follow FCC rules.
Julie Burton, President of the Women's Media Center said that "Programming that is this misogynistic can't even be called television anymore – This is pornographic, and we're here to ensure it's no longer flying under the radar. As women fight for representation and rights internationally, we need to make sure we're modeling equality in the United States. Such objectification harms all women, but has a disproportionate impact on girls."
"José Luis Sin Censura" airs twice daily, Monday – Friday, in thirty-seven markets throughout the country. The show is produced and distributed by Burbank, CA-based LBI, Liberman Broadcasting Inc.
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About the NHMC:The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a non-profit, media advocacy organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Its 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. For more information, please visit www.nhmc.org.
About the WMC:Women's Media Center (WMC) was founded in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem to positively impact the visibility of women in the media, amplify women's voices on key issues in the national dialogue, fight sexism and bias against women in the media, and increase professional opportunities for women across all forms of media. Through training, advocacy, and the development of original content, WMC is breaking through the status quo so that media more accurately represents the perspectives, positions, and priorities of women.
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About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.