We are at the end of another election cycle in which the GOP is doing well among Hispanics. This is because, as a CBS Mornings report shows, the media have returned to their favorite trope, “Spanish-language misinformation”.
Okay, maybe “interesting” might not be the right word. Perhaps “Weird” is a better description for Enrique Acevedo’s CBS Mornings report.
You can see the host’s exchange at the end this strange report about the sale of Radio Mambi, 17 other stations owned Univision, to the Soros-backed Latino Media Network. Feel their panic at the thought that Hispanics would dare to obtain information beyond approved sources (Click “Expand to view transcript).
ACEVEDO. Gayle declined to comment on disinformation claims or the purchase of Radio Mambi by Latino Media Network. After cancelling our interview on-camera, Radio Mambi’s new owners sent a statement. I’ll quote: “We believe freedom of expression and a press that values verifiable facts. All viewpoints will be accepted and encouraged. You can read the statement at cbsnews.com. We also have more information on how Latinos are being bombarded online with this information via instant messaging apps and in traditional media. Vlad?
VLADIMIR DIOUTHIERS: Enrique, uh, thank-you very much. This is a fascinating report.
GAYLE KING : This is a frightening report for me.
DOUTHIERS – Enrique stated that in the last two elections, more Latinos voted for Democrats, but that the Republicans are closing the gap. So what does that mean? This shows that it is not enough to win the demographic you want. It’s not enough to win them over, you have to win them.
TONY DOKOUPIL : Yes.
DOUTHIERS : That’s why they are– that’s their reason for being targeted.
DOKOUPIL: Many people believe that Florida isn’t a swing state anymore. It’s trending red. The Republican party has made significant progress with the Latino population, especially South Florida’s Cubans, which is right where Enrique was. Listening to these stations.
KING: He pointed out that you can get your information through many sources and should compare them. But most people don’t compare.
DOKOUPIL: That’s right.
KING: They depend on whatever source they have. They rely on that source. It’s troubling to rely on people who deliberately misinform and mislead.
DOKOUPIL: We hope the new owners mean it when we say that we are committed to a balanced set and to the facts.
DOUTHIERS: Indeed.
KING: Yes, but we don’t want you to talk to us, CBS.
DOKOUPIL: Yeah, but…that’s true.
DOUTHIERS All Right
Although the subject matter and report are a bit strange, it is still to be expected at an election cycle in which Democrats are expected to continue their underperformance with Hispanics – a group once considered to be part of their camp.
We noted that the “Radio Soros” transaction was announced in panic to regain narrative control over Hispanics. We have reported on the decline in trust in Spanish-language media and data showing that Spanish-language corporate media are the largest disseminators Spanish-language disinformation.
The report is too simplistic to consider the reasons Hispanics are abandoning their media gatekeepers. It only mentions that it must be due to “disinformation”.
Acevedo portrays Radio Mambi as a boogeyman but neglects to mention that Radio Mambi’s top talent left the station instead of working for a Soros-backed outlet and landed at conservative Americano Media. Radio Mambi, as we know it, is basically dead.
Although the report portrays the Univision station transfer as a “fight”, it is now over. The time to stop the deal was not now, but in 2017, when the GOP Congress had the power under the Congressional Review Act to reverse the FCC rule waiver allowing foreign interests permission to purchase a larger share in Univision-Radio Mambi’s parent company. But it didn’t happen. This set of precedents led to Univision becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mexico Televisa. This was the beginning of the Radio Soros deal.
The deal also excludes talk radio from the other stations. This is a lot of information that was omitted from viewers’ eyes in a report about “Spanish-language disinformation”.
The report is in a way a bit of “Spanish language disinformation”, directed at CBS’ unsuspecting viewers.
Click “Expand” to see the complete transcript of the above report, as it aired on CBS Mornings Thursday, November 3rd 2022
GAYLE KING: Latinos have been the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the country since the last midterm elections. The CBS News Battleground Tracker reveals that Democrats have a 48% to 40% advantage over Republicans among Hispanic voters in the House race. We are investigating allegations of misleading and false information being spread on Spanish-language media platforms, as Election Day is fast approaching, with five days remaining. CBS News correspondent Enrique Acevedo travels to South Florida where a radio station is at center of this battle.
U.S. REP. MARIAELVIRA SALAZAR, (R-FL),: This is the promised land of the Hispanics. They are the largest minority in the country. We are well aware of the advantages of the American system.
ENRIQUE ACEVEDO – Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar represents more that 700,000 residents in Miami-Dade County in Congress.
SALAZAR
ACEVEDO – The platform she is referring to is Radio Mambi, an AM radio station in Miami where Salazar was a frequent visitor. Radio Mambi has been a popular source for news for Spanish-speaking South Florida residents. Nielsen reports that 97% of all Latinos use radio on a monthly base. This is more than any other ethnic group.
SALAZAR – Radio Mambi was a bastion of free speech. This market was home to many conservative views and values.
ACEVEDO: What do you mean by was?
SALAZAR: It’s not going to be anymore.
ACEVEDO – In June, two ex-Democratic operatives founded the Latino Media Network and paid $60 million to purchase 18 Spanish language radio stations in the biggest markets in the country, including Radio Mambi in Miami.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL),: This is not a transaction for business.
ACEVEDO: Salazar, along with Republican senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, appealed to FCC to halt sale, claiming that it would silence conservative voices.
SALAZAR: They want those 18 radio stations to promote socialism to the Hispanics.
JESSICA GONZALEZ – The FCC has the job of determining whether applicants for licenses will serve the public interest.
ACEVEDO: Jessica Gonzalez, an attorney, is the CEO of Free Press (a media advocacy group that supports the purchase).
GONZALEZ – There is a lack of reliable news and information sources for the Latino community.
ACEVEDO: Gonzalez claims that platforms such as Radio Mambi have spread misinformation to Latino voters.
GONZALEZ – People view Latinos as a source of votes. There is an effort to win Latino votes through spreading lies and disinformation.
ACEVEDO. CBS News reviewed audio broadcasts from Radio Mambi discussing the Capitol riots. One host claims that —
(Spanish-language audio)
Antifa and Black Lives Matter members participated… and that Covid…
(Spanish-language audio)
Democrats exaggerated the claim. Both claims are false.
GONZALEZ : These lies sow distrust in the electoral process. It could discourage people from voting.
PROF. EDUARDO GAMARRA – Disinformation has had a very immediate impact
ACEVEDO: Eduardo Gamarra, a professor at Florida International University, addressed Congressmen about the effects of misinformation.
GAMARRA: Both the Republicans and Latinos study each other, they target them, but they also create a message that is extraordinarily effective.
ACEVEDO. In the two most recent national elections, more Latinos voted for Democrats. Republicans have been closing this gap. The FCC will likely approve Radio Mambi’s sale after the midterm elections. The Latino Media Network cannot change the station’s broadcasting until then.
SALAZAR: There is no misinformation. There are many sources of information available to people. They can compare.
ACEVEDO – But we also noticed a false allegation on Radio Mambi’s airwaves last year.
(Spanish-language audio)
Maria Salazar claims election fraud in Pennsylvania.
We know this is false.
SALAZAR: The election is over when you talk about it.
ACEVEDO: Salazar didn’t admit to the misinformation.
If the FCC approves the sale would you continue to radio Mambi and speak with your constituents?
SALAZAR: I will go to their place and denounce whatever they are saying.
ACEVEDO. Gayle declined to comment on disinformation claims or the purchase of Radio Mambi by Latino Media Network. After cancelling our interview on-camera, Radio Mambi’s new owners sent a statement. I’ll quote: “We believe freedom of expression and a press that values verifiable facts. All viewpoints will be accepted and encouraged. You can read the statement at cbsnews.com. We also have more information on our reporting about how Latinos are being bombarded online with this information via instant messaging apps and in traditional media. Vlad?
VLADIMIR DIOUTHIERS: Enrique, uh, thank-you very much. This is a fascinating report.
GAYLE KING : This is a frightening report for me.
DOUTHIERS – Enrique stated that in the last two elections, more Latinos voted for Democrats, but that the Republicans are closing the gap. So what does that mean? This shows that it is not enough to win the demographic you want. It’s not enough to win them over, you have to win them.
TONY DOKOUPIL : Yes.
DOUTHIERS : That’s why they are– that’s their reason for being targeted.
DOKOUPIL: Many people believe that Florida isn’t a swing state anymore. It’s trending red. The Republican party has made significant progress with the Latino population, especially South Florida’s Cubans, which is right where Enrique was. Listening to these stations.
KING: He pointed out that you can get your information through many sources and should compare them. But most people don’t compare.
DOKOUPIL: That’s right.
KING: They depend on whatever source they have. They rely on that source. It’s very troubling to rely on people who deliberately misinform and mislead.
DOKOUPIL: We hope the new owners mean it when we say that we are committed to a balanced set and to the facts.
DOUTHIERS: Indeed.
KING: Yes, but we don’t want you to talk to us, CBS.
DOKOUPIL: Yeah, but…that’s true.
DOUTHIERS : Enrique, this is a great report. Thank you so much.
