Mediaboss Marketing

PHOENIX, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new chapter will be written in Arizona's history on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 when 23 media outlets will cease to air their regularly rescheduled programs to become one. Under the mantra "Hoy Somos Arizona" (Today We Are Arizona), these trusted voices in the Latino community will attempt to address people's fears and uncertainty that the looming U.S. Supreme Court's decision on SB 1070 has left in the community. The 30-minute broadcast will air from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on TV and radio stations in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, and looped over the Internet for viewing by audiences nationwide on http://www.hoysomosarizona.com.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120618/LA25989LOGO)

"Latino media in Arizona have been on the front lines of this struggle covering this controversial law since it was first introduced in the Arizona State Legislature," said Ben Monterroso, national executive director of Mi Familia Vota Educations Fund. "For years Latino media outlets have captured with their cameras the effects that anti-immigrant and anti-Latino policies and legislation can have on the Latino community. With this program they have taken the steps necessary to unite the community and empower individuals with the information they need to defend their rights and take control of their own destinies."

Media executives gathered on Monday to announce plans for this special program during a press conference outside the Arizona State Capitol. "Hoy Somos Arizona" will consist of several news stories put together by participating media outlets focused on the following topics: A look at how we got here starting with Proposition 187 in California to the current U.S. Supreme Court decision on SB 1070; What's on the table?: A review of the four key provisions of the law and what they mean; Know your rights: An interview with a civil rights lawyer; and The impact of SB 1070 on families: An interview with a family separated by SB 1070. The show was taped outside the Arizona State Legislature where SB 1070 was first introduced in 2010. The show's presenters are Mary Rabago of Univision TV, Janet Rodriguez of Telemundo TV and Ossman Padilla of Azteca America TV.

This never-before-seen public awareness initiative includes a phone bank staffed by bilingual volunteers and civil rights attorneys standing by to answer callers' questions. The toll-free hotline number where people may call starting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. MST is 1-855-RESPETO or 1-855-737-7386. The roadblock will also help motivate eligible Latinos to write their own story in Arizona's history books through the ballot box. Information on how to register to vote and key election dates will be made available throughout the news program courtesy of Mi Familia Vota.

"For 30 minutes on Wednesday, words will become the best form of defense for Latinos everywhere worried about the effect that the Supreme Court's decision might have on their daily lives," said Tania Torres Marquez, executive producer of "Hoy Somos Arizona's" commercial-free broadcast. "This act of solidarity, unity and empowerment that 'Hoy Somos Arizona' represents will be a golden moment in our community."

"Hoy Somos Arizona" is comprised of 23 outlets under the following media companies (in alphabetical order): Azteca America TV, Entravision Radio, Estrella TV, La Onda, La Voz, Liberman Broadcasting, News Taco, Prensa Hispana, Radio Fiesta, TeleFutura, Telemundo TV, Univision Radio, Univision TV.

Comments from some of the participating media partners:

"The message is clear! The Spanish-language media will unite when our community calls." Araceli De Leon, regional vice president and general manager of the Telemundo Southwest stations

"A united front making a stand against an abusive law that attacks the heart of our community. This is historic." Andres Angulo, vice president of News Estrella TV

More here:
Latino Media Outlets Announce Plans For Unprecedented 30-minute Program On U.S. Supreme Court Ruling On SB 1070