CONTROVERSIAL HEADLINE SPARKS DEBATE OVER MEDIA'S TREATMENT OF PERUVIAN COMMUNITY IN CT

Peruvians during their independence day at the Hartford Capitol in 2023. Photo, Boceto Media

 

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Hartford, CT.- A story intended to report the deportation of a man held in custody by Hartford police has sparked a conversation among Latino communities in Connecticut due to the way it was framed. 

It all began with a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that drew attention from local communities. The release detailed the case of Christian Maximo Castañeda Negrete, a 46-year-old man who had been deported in 2012. According to ICE, Castañeda was arrested in Hartford on sexual assault charges and taken into custody by federal immigration officials. 

The story gained further attention when ICE revealed Castañeda’s criminal history, which included multiple convictions for violations of protective orders, first-degree burglary, and unlawful restraint, dating back to 2004 and 2011. After serving time in prison, Castañeda was deported to Peru, but authorities said he re-entered the U.S. illegally at some point thereafter. 

However, the controversy surrounding the story escalated with the way it was presented in the media. A headline from The Hartford Courant, a century-old newspaper in Connecticut, read, "Previously deported Peruvian man charged with sex assault apprehended by ICE officials in CT." 

The phrasing of the headline struck a nerve, particularly within the local Latino community. While the article itself reported the facts of the case, many felt that highlighting the man’s nationality in the headline unfairly linked his criminal actions to the entire Peruvian community. 

Headline of the digital article, Hartford Courant.

Emanuela Palmares, editor of La Tribuna and vice president of the New American Dream Foundation, expressed concern that journalism is regressing to the George Floyd era. She noted that the media’s coverage of diverse communities feels like a step backward, as such headlines perpetuate harmful stereotypes. 

“Journalism, especially when it concerns public safety, should focus on informing the public without sensationalizing or exploiting the situation,” Emanuela said. “ Reporting a crime is necessary, but making the nationality of the individual the focus of the headline unfairly places responsibility on an entire community.” 

Alan Rivera Prieto, an experienced Latino journalist who has worked for prominent media outlets, including those in Northern Mexico, argues that Anglo reporting often fails to meet basic ethical standards in journalism. 

“The problem with these types of headlines is that they create a “profile,” it links crime with the nationality of the person, which is a form of racial or ethnic profiling,” Rivera Prieto said. “Even if you mention nationality in the body of the story, putting it in the headline is definitely a form of discrimination.” 

For years, Hispanics and Latinos have faced stereotypes, largely due to their underrepresentation in newsrooms. Research by Riba Tukashinsky, a communications professor at Chapman University, has shown that media portrayals of Latinos and immigrants can either reinforce or challenge negative stereotypes, significantly shaping public perception. 

“Mainstream media catered predominantly to White audiences, representing the ideology and identity needs of this group in ways that further marginalized and alienated ethnic minorities. Specifically, Blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans were often underrepresented in the media, and when at all present, they were cast in a narrow set of typically negative roles as buffoons, criminals, or hypersexual nonprofessional individuals” 

Elvis Tuesta, the Peruvian Consul for Connecticut and Rhode Island, stated that no media outlet had contacted him for comment or coverage regarding the story.

 “No, we haven’t received contact from any non-Latino media in Connecticut about this case. This is concerning, because it suggests that there’s no real interest from the media in investigating and providing balanced coverage,” Tuesta said. “ The media has immense power to shape public opinion. It’s crucial that journalists are aware of how their language can affect the perception of a community. Using terms like "the Peruvian man" is unnecessary and can create an environment of hostility toward all members of that community.” 

Tuesta emphasized that, like other Latino communities, the Peruvian community has made significant contributions to Connecticut. He highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of Peruvians, especially Peruvian women, who are thriving in business. He also referenced a University of Connecticut study that identified the Peruvian community as one of the most entrepreneurial in the state. Tuesta called on the media to focus on these positive contributions, rather than solely highlighting negative incidents. 

The Hartford Courant was contacted for a comment on this matter, but as of the time of publication, we have not received a response. 

As of July 2024, Connecticut is home to approximately 35,000 Peruvians, making them the second-largest Latino group in the state, after Puerto Ricans. 

Alan Tan, co-chair of the The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity CWCSEO, noted that as Connecticut becomes more diverse, like the rest of the country, the media must adapt to reflect this diversity and ensure that all communities are represented accurately and equitably. 

"Let me give you an example: When an Asian American experiences violence or discrimination, where is the media? But when something similar happens to someone from the majority group, it often becomes front-page news," Tan said.This inconsistency highlights the need for fairness in how the media covers all communities.

 Since 2016, mainstream media has consistently condemned Donald Trump's derogatory remarks that labeled immigrants as rapists, launching an extensive campaign to discredit his racist rhetoric. However, years later, some critics argue that the push for diversity and inclusion has lost momentum. 

Carlos Masias, Founder and Creative Director of The Latino Way and CT En Vivo Noticias, points out that the commitment to these values is being undermined by a lack of cultural awareness and competence among journalists in large media organizations. 

 “It's unfortunate. We must be fully aware of the responsibility we bear when sharing information with the public. It's crucial to be mindful of our intent, whether we're aiming to shape an opinion or simply inform,” Masias said. “ If the goal is to influence opinion, it reveals that we may already have preconceived notions or an agenda. "

According to Tuesta, members of Connecticut's Peruvian community are active in a wide range of sectors, from the service industry to white-collar professions. Their strong entrepreneurial spirit has positioned them as leaders in fields such as media, public relations, and more. 

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