Press Conference - Frank Sharry, America's Voice

http://www.mediamattersaction.org/fearandloathing
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Frank Sharry first became interested in immigration while teaching in Singapore in the 1970s, when refugees fled war-torn Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. He later worked on refugee and immigration issues in Arkansas, New York City, and Cambridge, Mass., where he directed a local service organization for Central American refugees. Frank Sharry served as Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum for 17 years, before starting America's Voice, the newly-founded communications and rapid-response campaign to advance immigration reform.
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Washington, D.C. -- Media Matters Action Network today released "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News," a special report documenting the rhetoric surrounding illegal immigration heard almost daily on influential cable news channels. The report exposes how cable news overflows not only with vitriol regarding immigration, but also with a series of myths that feed viewers' unfounded resentments and fears. Leading the charge are CNN's Lou Dobbs, CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck, and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, all of whom have played major roles in creating this anti-immigrant hysteria.

"This report shows in startling detail how Dobbs, Beck, and O'Reilly serve up a steady diet of fear, anger, and resentment on the subject of illegal immigration," said Karl Frisch, a spokesman for Media Matters Action Network. "When they aren't demonizing undocumented immigrants with misleading claims, this trio of cable news bullies is advancing baseless urban legends and wild accusations targeting the immigrant community. CNN and Fox News need to answer for this -- failure to do so would be the height of irresponsible journalism and a disservice to the American public."

The report discusses, in detail, two types of myths regarding immigration perpetuated on cable news. The first are the largest and most common myths, such as those about crime and undocumented immigrants, and the costs of illegal immigration in social services and taxes. The second are the urban legends, such as the purported conspiracy to take back the Southwest United States for Mexico and the supposed secret plan to construct a "NAFTA Superhighway" running from Canada to Mexico.

Media Matters Action Network's analysis focuses on Dobbs, O'Reilly, and Beck. While hosts on other cable programs regularly discuss illegal immigration (particularly on Fox News, where it is a frequent topic on Hannity & Colmes and Special Report with Brit Hume), Dobbs, O'Reilly, and Beck are the key offenders.

Among the hosts, Dobbs stands out as the most guilty of this recklessly irresponsible journalism. Fully 70 percent of the 2007 episodes of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight included discussion of illegal immigration.

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[Sofiz18]

I'm venezuelan, I dont hate any anglo people, and none of my friends or family do! generalizations are just wrong

[forbiddengirl1994]

Lou Dobbs is my hero and these idiots will never shut him up. He is one of he few honest people out there. Why dont these people go to Mexico and demostrate for their own people and change Mexico like they are trying to change A;merica. Have they seen some of the areas that Hispanic illegals take over. It becomes so run down and full of crime that noone wants to even go in that area. Are we going to allow them to make America a third world country?

[scharwenka1850]

This speaker is incorrect. The correct approach is to decrease future numbers of hispanics in the U.S. I married a Venezuelan, and they hate the anglo-U.S., and want its demise, for their takeover. Deniers are part of the problem. It's real, and happening.

[databoney]

If you look on America's Voice website, you see that this is an immigration lawyers group; the ones who profit from mass immigration.

Ted Kennedy is, good grief, the worst of the brothers. The Harvard exam-cheater; womanizer; drinker; hero of Chappaquidick....

[Licmycat]

Backstabbing, traitor, anti-American ought to be stripped of his citizenship and deported to mexico if he likes it that much! What a sorry piece of trash he is!

[Gutcheckcoming]

lou dobss is one of the few that are trying to save us from the nafta super highway and illegal immigration , frank sharry is a piece of crap