Spanish-language Media Blast Governor for His Comments

SAN FRANCISCO - Calif. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's comments at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' Convention this week that Latinos should turn off their Spanish-language televisions and learn English sparked strong reactions in the state's Spanish-language media. DJs on Univision's radio station La Kalle 105.7 FM in San Francisco said Thursday that Latinos should watch Spanish-language television and English-language television. In a state where Latinos are now becoming the majority, they added, Gov. Schwarzenegger should learn Spanish and learn more about Latino culture. Being bilingual is a benefit in California, they said, where companies seek employees who speak more than one language.

LOS ANGELES - It is absurd to blame Latinos' low academic performance on Hispanic media, an editorial in La Opinión argues. The governor used the false argument that Latino immigrants don't want to learn English, editors say. In fact, the editorial notes, there aren't enough adult English classes to meet immigrants' demand for them. The governor doesn't know the United States' long history with media that inform and help numerous immigrant groups in their language, editors write. These groups have gone on to enrich this nation, the editorial notes.

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