Single Issue Syndrome: How Sunday Shows Undermine Hispanic Inclusion

*Yes! Anglos define the media mainstream, and the political mainstream, where Latinos are regarded as a single issue constituency. This detailed report is proof. Part of the problem, as NewsTaco has learned first hand, is that Latinos have yet to work themselves into media producers’ contact lists, and that’s because they don’t see Latinos outside of the stereotypical roles and issues. (By the way, I love this picture of Maria Hinojosa showing her fists!) VL

By Christina Lopez and Jessica Torres, Media Matters

English-Language Shows Often Treat Hispanic Guests As Experts Only On Immigration. Media Matters analyzed discussions on seven English-language Sunday shows — ABC’s This Week, CBS’ Face the Nation, Fox Broadcasting Co.’s Fox News Sunday, NBC’s Meet the Press, CNN’s State of the Union, and MSNBC’s Up with Steve Kornacki and Melissa Harris-Perry — and the two most important Spanish-language Sunday shows — Telemundo’s Enfoque and Univision’s Al Punto. The analysis covered 18 weeks of shows, which included the peak of the 2014 midterm election season and its aftermath. These shows affect the political agenda and policy conversations — conversations that become increasingly important in election season. This analysis highlights two symptoms of this single-issue syndrome on Hispanic inclusion. On English-language shows, Hispanic guests are treated as experts in only one subject, rarely invited to discuss issues other than immigration, and the Spanish-language shows prioritize immigration coverage over discussions of other issues that Latinos have identified as important to them.

Click HERE to read the full report.