8:00

To be honest, I never thought much about the U.S. media's coverage of Latin America until I was presented with the challenge of live-blogging this event.

Eventually, I just sat down and brainstormed some memorable headlines relating to stories south of the border. After seriously racking my brain, this is all I could come up with:

1. Mexico, December 2006: Mexican politicians brawl in parliament as Felipe Calderon is sworn in as president
2. United Nations, September 2006: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez likened President Bush to the devil
3. Cuba, July 2006: Cuban leader Fidel Castro undergoes surgery to stop intestinal bleeding
4. Argentina, November 2005: Violent protests erupt in Argentina to protest President Bush's arrival at the Summit of the Americas

Comparing the U.S.' coverage of Latin American to its coverage of the Middle East or Europe is simple - THERE IS NO COMPARISON! There are clearly political and economic issues sweeping across the continent but you wouldn't know it based on the U.S. media's lack of reporting.

Overall I think this forum was very informative. My only suggestion for future panels wishing to discuss this issue is to include the perspective of Latin American citizens living in America and their perspectives on the U.S. media.

For example:

1. Do Latin populations notice or care that the issues in their own home countries are largely ignored by the American media?
2. Where do Latin American populations living in the U.S. obtain coverage of their home countries? Internet? Satellite T.V? Community Newspapers?