'Hate speech' infiltrating immigration debate, Latino group says

By Brendan McKenna - Dallas Morning News
Friday, February 01, 2008 - Web Link
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February 1, 2008

Cable news channels have let the war of words over immigration escalate into hate speech, according to a national Hispanic civil rights organization.

The National Council of La Raza wants to meet executives of Fox News, MSNBC and CNN and take them to task for "handing hate a microphone" on their programs, said Janet Murguía, president and chief executive of the organization.

"Hate groups and extremists have taken over the immigration debate," she said.

She also called on Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to renounce his endorsement by Minuteman Project co-founder Jim Gilchrist, a frequent guest on cable news shows opposing immigration reform. In response, Mr. Gilchrist called La Raza a racial supremacy group that "dwarfs the combination of Black Panthers, KKK, American Indian Movement and Asian gangs."

CNN Worldwide's CEO agreed to meet with the group, said Cecilia Munoz, the council's senior vice president. A CNN spokeswoman said Ms. Murguía will appear on Lou Dobbs' show Monday night. Spokespeople for Fox News and the Huckabee campaign declined to comment. MSNBC officials said they look forward to receiving NCLR's letter.

Ms. Murguía said the tone taken by networks, hosts and commentators had derailed discussion of the issues that need to be addressed in immigration reform.

"It is a serious issue and it requires a serious discussion. And we welcome that discussion," she said.