National Hispanic Media Coalition
New York Chapter
COMMUNITY ALERT!
April 3, 2007

Dear Colleagues:

We have been made aware of Univision, (WXTV, Channel 41) decision to move veteran reporter Miriam Ayala from the their primetime 6 PM newshour to a less desirable slot for a 24 year veteran reporter. We also learned that the once profiled “political reporter ” is being assigned less lead stories and has less air time AND that allegedly her interviews are being used by Univision male and younger females as part of their broadcast, with no credit to Miriam!

Is Univision phasing out this popular reporter?

Not according to our conversation with Ramon Pineda, who replaced Cristina Schwarz as Vice President and General Manager, Channel 41. Pineda claimed that Miriam “is still working” and that the change to a the 5 AM newshour should not be construed as a “demotion.” Miriam has filed a discrimination charge against Univision with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in New Jersey on the bases of sex, gender, race and color in violation of applicable federal, state, and local laws. Because of the pending legal action Pineda, understandably, preferred to “check with my superiors” before meeting with us.

For now, let's look at the facts.

Generally speaking, younger and less experienced
reporters (male and female) are increasingly
replacing knowledgeable older journalists in today's
broadcasting newsrooms.

-Despite population numbers, Puerto Ricans are underrepresented in Univision's top management positions and as on-air talent (notwithstanding Dennise Oller who co-anchors the 6 PM local news hour). This is the case at local Channel 41 and the national network.

-Univision's practice of what the Washington Post
once called “the Blond & Blue-Eyed of Spanish
language TV” is for the most part still a reality.

- The network enjoys profitable revenues from our consumer dollars and should be held accountable for their practices.

Recently, NHMC won a petition before the Federal Communications Commission that caused Univision $24 million. As part of the National Latino Media Council leadership we are holding talks with the new private equity companies that recently purchased Univision for close to $40 billion. We will make sure that Univision's new owners are alerted of these disturbing practices. Univision's new owners need to monitor and enforce workplace policies and stop discriminatory practices that violate federal, state and local laws.

Community members wishing to voice their concerns regarding Miriam Ayala and Univision's unfair practices should write, call or email Ramon J. Pineda :

Ramon Pineda
VP & General Manager
Univision-WXTV
500 Frank W. Burr Blvd.
Teaneck, NJ 07660
(212) 287-4141
Email:
rjpineda@univision.net
mlopez@univision.net