News… Emergency En Español

“Chastened for their low-key coverage of the 2003 Cedar Fire, Spanish-language television and radio stations had another go at it in this year’s disaster. Telemundo and Univision joined forces Monday, streaming life-or-death information on evacuations, road closures and shelter sites in the tongue their viewers understand. NBC offered Spanish news updates between its English broadcast, winning praise from Latino leaders.

But the major Spanish stations didn’t start continuous coverage of the fire until Monday, endangering Spanish-speakers in Ramona and Potrero, where the first two blazes started Sunday and gained steam as residents went to bed Sunday evening. And Spanish-speakers haven’t been as well-served by city communications, some complain. Memos from the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista haven’t been translated into Spanish, forcing bilingual volunteers to step in.”*

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