Univision Will Not Show 2016 Republican Debates
The Republican National Committee announced Friday the networks holding the 2016 GOP primary debates. Of the nine channels hosting the debates, the largest Spanish-language network, Univision, is not one of them.
Univision currently reaches 96 percent of Hispanic homes.
In a statement to The Huffington Post, Univision spokesman Jose Zamora says the choice not to have a debate hosted by the network is a mistake. According to Zamora, Hispanics will decide the 2016 presidential election.
"No one can match Univision's reach and ability to inform, provide access and empower Hispanic America," Zamora said. "Anyone who wants to reach and engage Hispanics will have to do it through Univision."
The network's anchor, Jorge Ramos, agreed with Zamora.
"The new rule in American politics is that no one can make it to the White House without the Hispanic vote," Ramos said. "I believe that Latinos and Millennials will decide the 2016 presidential election."
Reince Preibus recently told BuzzFeed, "it's highly questionable whether we're treated fairly on Univision." Univision's part-owner Haim Saban is also a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter.
Univision frequently covers immigration and Ramos is an immigration advocate. Recently Preibus and Ramos squared off on the issue.
Ramos questioned Preibus on Republicans recent vote to overturn all of President Obama's executive actions on immigration. Preibus argued immigration and Obama's executive action were separate.
"I would just implore everyone to separate immigration from the fight," Preibus said. "The fight is whether he is overextending his authority under the constitution."
The RNC plans for nine debates held from August 2015 to March 1, 2016.
The networks holding the debates include Fox News, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business, ABC News and NBC/Telemundo. Telemundo, the second-biggest Spanish-language network, will partner with NBC for the Florida debate in February.
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