AMAC Exclusive – By Andrew Abbott
For more than 50 years, WAQI Radio Mambí has been the voice of Cuban exiles. The relatively small station’s positioning in Miami meant it could broadcast directly into Communist Cuba throughout the Cold War, and WAQI has become one of the most trusted news outlets for Cuban Americans and a reliable critic of the Cuban regime. But now, a new George Soros-backed venture could change that forever.
Last month, Univision announced that it had sold 18 radio stations in 10 separate markets, including WAQI, to a new entity called the Latino Media Network (LMN). Almost every radio station sold has a talk radio format and is located in a U.S. city with a large Hispanic population. In a press release, LMN states that its mission is “to help Latinos make sense of the world and their place in it by inspiring, informing, and celebrating Hispanics through an audio-focused multimedia network.” In an op-ed published to coincide with the launch, LMN executives reassured listeners that they “do not intend to change the spirit or character of what has made it popular and profitable.”
Nonetheless, the listed board members, investors, and advisors for LMN immediately drew scrutiny from conservatives. Several high-level executives at LMN have an extensive history as Democratic Party operatives, and have served as field organizers for Democratic presidential candidates. Co-founder Stephanie Valencia served on the Biden-Harris transition team, while fellow co-founder Jess Morales Rocketto founded a left-wing activist group called “Coven,” which worked extensively with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. The most prominent supposed conservative on the board is Al Cárdenas, husband of ardent anti-Trump “Republican” and CNN commentator Ana Navarro, and himself a self-described “reluctant” Trump supporter.
But the real red flag for conservatives is the involvement in the acquisition of Lakestar Finance, LLC, a close affiliate of Soros Fund Management. While George Soros has denied that he will be involved in how the radio stations are run – or what type of content they disseminate – Soros’s active involvement in other areas of American politics, like funding far-left prosecutors in cities throughout the country, has left many conservatives skeptical.
As if to confirm those suspicions, just a few weeks after the purchase, Valencia and Rocketto hinted in comments to the New Yorker that they are indeed aiming to turn the radio stations into little more than mouthpieces for the Democratic Party. They described how the new mission of the stations would be to counter “right-wing disinformation,” calling concerns among Hispanics that Democrats support socialist policies a “modern red scare.” Rocketto further told the New Yorker that media stations should be about creating “safe spaces” and a “sense of belonging” – both buzzwords for left-wing identity politics.
In other words, to hear Valencia and Rocketto tell it, it’s not Democrats who are out of touch with Latino voters, but Latino voters who are out of touch with Democrats. The implication is that if Hispanic communities are simply force-fed a heavy diet of Democratic Party talking points, they will abandon their rightward shift.
But the appetite among Hispanics for conservative news and analysis only appears to be growing, a trend that this Soros-backed effort is unlikely to reverse. Earlier this year saw the launch of another new media group, Americano, targeting conservative Hispanics with Spanish-language content. Following the launch of the network, Americano founder Ivan Garcia-Hidalgo said Democrats are “scared” and “they should be… Democrats took Hispanics for granted for too long, and no one thought to create a home for us in conservative media. There is an appetite for this. You see it on social media. You see it in elections.” Meanwhile, Fernand Amandi, a Miami-based consultant who oversaw Barack Obama’s successful national Hispanic outreach, called the launch of Americano a “Defcon 1” moment.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, three of WAQI’s most prominent hosts, Dania Alexandrino, Lourdes Ubieta, and Nelson Rubio, have already resigned in protest rather than work under the new management at their station. In a recent interview, Ubieta told the Daily Signal that the LMN deal is “stab in the heart of the community,” and a blatant attempt to push left-wing propaganda to Latino voters. “These people from the left, these Democrats, they believe that [by] buying these 18 radio stations, somehow, they can control the opinion they deliver [to] the Hispanic community,” Ubieta said.
Progressive activists and left-wing billionaires may think that they can win back the support of Hispanic Americans by simply seizing control of their information centers and silencing conservative viewpoints. But after decades in which liberal policies have failed Latino communities, such efforts are unlikely to stop the mass exodus of Hispanic voters out of the Democratic Party.
Andrew Abbott is the pen name of a writer and public affairs consultant with over a decade of experience in DC at the intersection of politics and culture.
The obvious reason why a Soros backed group is buying up radio stations is to control the message that is fed to the listeners of those stations. He sees Hispanics are not falling in-line to uniformly support Democrat candidates as expected ahead of the midterms. So Soros and his people are simply moving to try and correct the problem. If bit in time to save the midterms, certainly in time to potentially change the direction by the 2024 elections. Control the narrative, control the people! Endlessly parrot the socialist message to the audience you are targeting and you end up manipulating the vote of those people towards the candidates and policies you desire. It’s nothing new. It’s been used as an effective tactic by the left going back well over a century in all forms of media.
Soros sees gaps that exist in the coverage of the unified, socialist message that dominates from the MSM and he and his people are simply moving to close those gaps by buying up those radio stations and then changing their talk radio formats to reflect so-called “progressive” dogma being spewed out 24×7. It’s all done out in the open for all to see, because the left doesn’t expect there will be any pushback from the federal government that they already control. Elections have consequences.
Dems want a captive Hispanic voting block-NOT
& or front for more leftist DAs
Hispanics should Unite on this front to combat Soros
This Latino grew up as a diehard Bluedog Democrat. Then my favorite AZ Senator, Dennis Deconcini, D-AZ, & John McCain, RINO-AZ, betrayed Arizonan’s during tge Savings & Loan Scandle. Due to Deconcini’s Character, he did not run for re-election & as usual, McCain ignored another crime.
During my late 20s, the Democrat Party left the WORKING CLASS & LATINOS, when it became the Party of the RICH, COMMUNISTS & the RADICAL LEFT. FOLLOWED BY the DEMOCRAT Party being the political PARTY of ILLEGALS & the RICH. At the same time, Democrats started running as Republicans, destroying the GOP.
Turn off tune out ignore
Making more controlled Orwellian Media.
WE NEED TO RESSURECT TED CRUZ FREE ALL SPEECH ACT OF 2014:
Federal Campaign Laws makes a distinction where there is no real difference: the media is extremely powerful by any measure, a “special interest” by any definition, and heavily engaged in the “issue advocacy” and “independent expenditure” realms of political persuasion that most editorial boards find so objectionable when anyone other than a media outlet engages in it. To illustrate the absurdity of this special exemption the media enjoys, I frequently cite as an example the fact that if the RNC bought NBC from GE the FEC would regulate the evening news and, under the McCain-Feingold “reform” bill, Tom Brokaw could not mention a candidate 60 days before and election. This is patently absurd
Had the senate debate on the McCain Feingold bill advanced to the point of amendments, among the first I offered would have been one to delete section 431 (9) (B) (i). Whenever the opportunity presents itself in the future, I look forward to doing just that. I believe that it would be an enlightening discussion.”
A free press is the right to use a printing press t without a license from government. amendment10.tripod.com/mitch4.htm
Other than who pays for it, there is no difference between an editorial, slanted news story and a political ad?
Although Senator McConnell Senator Ted Cruz has offered a solution but the MSM have not reported it:
S.2416 – Free All Speech Act of 2014
beta.congress.gov/113/bills/s2416/BILLS-113s2416is.xml
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2416
To apply laws that restrict the political speech of American citizens to media corporations.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 3, 2014
Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To apply laws that restrict the political speech of American citizens to media corporations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Short title.
This Act may be cited as the “Free All Speech Act of 2014”.
SEC. 2. Application of laws that restrict the political speech of American citizens to media corporations.
(a) In general.—Any law that restricts the political speech of American citizens shall apply with equal force to media corporations, such as the New York Times, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), and the CBS Television Network.
(b) No application to American citizens if application to media corporations found unconstitutional.—To the extent that the application of a law to a media corporation under subsection (a) is found unconstitutional, such law shall have no force or effect with respect to American citizens.
We need to get the Radio Free Broadcasting back as it was being broadcast to the Eastern Block in the 50’s and 60’s to report the news as opposed to the Communist Propaganda.
We are now being controlled by what the enemy wants us to hear instead of truth. Deregulation certainly opened the doors to keep truth hidden.
George Soros is a malignant presence in every nation. He has presented a very bad influence on other kazillionaires, like Michael Bloomberg, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Carlos Slim and others, whose favorite toys playing against humanity is their wealth.
this is nothing new for the socialist soros , he has been doing this for years ,,, and we have our fine government to thank for it ,,,
I live in Orange County, Ca and because of a health issue, I have resided in a health facility in Los Angeles County for the last 3 weeks. Here is Today’s America, I am forced to share my room now twice, and both times with non-English speaking men. You just know that if neither one of the two speaks English, that neither one is a “real” American Citizen! Yet, I can guarantee that the American Taxpaying Citizens are footing the bill. I haven’t met one employee who isn’t bilingual! If that doesn’t discriminate against English “Only” speaking employees what other proof do you need? America is no longer for American Citizens, thank you so-called Democratic Party!
Americans need to be, discriminatingly, discerning with respect to whom they do business, to whom they sell anything and with whom they do business. The future of the country depends on it. It is as basic as the fundamental right to private property. The bigger the entity, the more power it has to control and peddle influence and ideology. The country was founded by subsistence farmers, plantation owners and people who valued the right to private property and were willing to die to defend that right. Common-American citizens need to understand that billionaires understand the concept of private property and the independence and power that it enables. Homesteaders and Preppers understand this, just as well. Keep your property deeds protected and keep your hardware oiled and your powder dry because the need to push back against these renegade globalists is very real.
No one seems to have the Courage nor Fortitude to End the George Soros, along with his Elitist Henchmen both Foreign and Domestic, Evil Marxist Agenda Against Our True American Values!!! Why is he being Allowed to Continue With His Evil Treasonous Agenda???
Soros is a national security threat and should be treated as such.
This man is the DEVIL!!! #AmericaFirst
“Soros-Backed Conglomerate”= Domestic Terrorist organizationWhere does Soros get his money & when was the last time Soros had an IRS audit?
Soros has a plan to take over the United States and what better way then broadcast to illegals and Hispanic’s trying to get the power to vote. This man should be run out of this country as he is very dangerous
This was the plan all along. They know Americans are starting to wake up from the control of our livelihood. If they are convinced of a false indoctrination then Americans go under. Soros doesn’t care about any of us, he and many of the elite are treasonous to our country and what it stands for freedom. If will continue to allow them to control what they don’t we will eliminate our power. Anything attached to these anti-people, and haters we should stop supporting all the causes they support all of us together! We have the power!
What will it take to get people to see the evil and traders that are trying to take our country . I guess when the evil in this country sales us and takes everything we have like they did the Indians then they will cry when it is to late.
Soros plans to feed propaganda to the Latino audience in an effort to sway their votes to Bidum and the leftists. Bidum’s plan is to attract illegals from all over and in return they would vote for his leftist Democraps. But many Latinos have seen through this sham and have more love and patriotism for America than Bidum ever had and instead will vote for Republicans, freedom and prosperity.
Soros shouldn’t even be allowed to be in the US and sure should NOT be allowed to buy businesses or property. We should deport him to Israel and let them stone him to death in the town square.
Why are we tolerating manipulation by George Soros in our elections. There are six countries, including his home country of Hungary, in which he has been banned. He and his minions in the USA need to be deported and permanently barred from ever entering our nation again. He is a godless, soul less socialist, which is what socialism is anyway.
Why Is A Soros-Backed Conglomerate Snatching Up Latino Media Stations? Duh! Spew Democrat Marxism.
TO SPEW MORE FECES AS ALL libs DO
So the Commies can spread their propaganda … why else??
It is obvious. The left is loosing the hispanic vote. Soros wants to bombard hispanics with leftist propaganda to get them back.
Back in 1950s, one of goals of Communism was to control the news & media. And what does Soros want for USA ???
Geo soros needs to stay out of American bussiness
We definitely need to get rid of Soros! He does not represent anything I stand for or want to see in government, especially in this country! We need to freeze his assets in this country as he’s trying to force his will upon the American people! His communistic/socialistic will that has been the impetus for the Latino population to come to the USA away from that fascist government structure!
Where is the comment I just made concerning that lowlife Soros?
And how have we allowed the Chinese Government to buy up land in the SW and NW??? Hmmm..wonder if Biden made another deal???
Sir soros should be sent to the country that wants to punish the bottom feeding S.O.B.
Someone needs to take this man out! He uses money to destroy all that is good and enjoys it! Has anyone ever wondered why he is doing this? He is American but hates America. He is from Hungary and I wondered about this. What if he and his family were on that ship that came into the east coast harbor during the beginning of WWII, carrying Jews fleeing their homeland due to what was happening to them there. There were all looking for exile and Roosevelt would not let them stay. He sent them back. He didn’t want to get involved. That was terrible and knowing what happened to them when they returned, that would make me angry. Just a thought.
Why Is A Soros-Backed Conglomerate Snatching Up Latino Media Stations? For propaganda and indoctrination. Big mistake on Soros part. Because Latino’s, Asian’s, Black’s and hard working union old line Democratic’s are FED UP with the take over of the Demoratic party by radical marxists leftists. They are flocking to the Republican Populist party. This doesn’t and will not get broadcast by the fascist marxists lame street news media, go figure! The liberal progressive globalist elite, such as Soros, are going down and being rejected. There is a Populist revolution going on friends! Be a part of it. Take a look at the rest of the world, especially the European countries. The People Are The Government, Sovereign and Free!
Based on their actions its clear Democrats and their supporters are the “domestic threat” I, as a veteran, swore an oath to defend against when I enlisted.
Why is this asshole still alive?
Is there no legal way to make this horrible man stop meddling in our elections? There seems to be no end to his money and his detrmination to destroy our country. Even his death will not stop it because his son is also involved in the scheme to bring us down. Soros’ father was a Nazi and George helped him steal valuables from Jews in WWII!
If the new owners of the “media” can dumb down the Latinos like they have done with the rest of America, they can brain wash their new class of people to do and be whatever they want them to be. Hopefully the Latino community is smarter than that. Soros is just ONE of the evil people that will be at the forefront of the new world order.
Its the same reason Soros is funding the pro-criminal DAs around the country to turn criminals loose the same day they are caught. No doubt the illegal aliens will also be allowed to vote and will vote democrat just so they can remain here.
it’s based on the soviet propaganda media machine to control the narrative. without America globalism goes the way of ALL OTHER attempts at marxism ……………… a grander scale of failure.
George Soros is basically a communist organization that wishes to destroy the American life and currency, after all he had got his basic introduction with Nazi Germany, and the Gestapo secret police while he was a teen. Perhaps he prefers to associate with the Progressives as to Nazi’s, but once you look under the hood of his organizations they are the same. Interesting he associates with the DemoRAT party, and has infiltrated its structure with his billions, to change it to the new Nazi movement which they always accuse the other side of doing. He learned that through the press and massive cover-ups and false news he can probably taint history. America First movement has been surely contended with his time schedule through Obama to fundamentally change America. Trump had all the proof of Government misdeeds in his records at his Florida home, and that was the purpose of the raid. It had nothing to do with security records, but every thing to do with the investigative evidence with the communist agenda to steal elections, false impeachments and records of the DEEP STATE. George Soros pumped unheard sums of money into Hillary’s campaign, and he will continue as long as he is alive. He is also behind the Fox News conversion in a slowly methodical way because he has sway over the sons that now manage that news outlets. GEORGE SOROS IS THE PARIAHA WORKING FOR ANTI-CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND DESTRUCTION OF LIBERTY AND EQUAL JUSTICE TO FULFILL SATIN’S GOAL OF DESTRUCTION OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY.