While broadcast network news shows have tended to devote a disproportionate amount of time to criticizing the new Arizona law [1]that attempts to enforce federal immigration law, on Sunday's Good Morning America, ABC correspondent Jeremy Hubbard gave an unusual amount of time to those who support the Arizona law as he highlighted protesters rallying to oppose the boycott pushed by left-wing critics. He even noted that there were Hispanics in attendance at a rally who support the new law:
JEREMY HUBBARD: Defending this maligned state, hundreds rallied in support of Arizona's new immigration law, some Hispanics among them. Why are you here?
JASON VERDUGO, SUPPORTS ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW: Because I believe in this cause. I believe that illegal immigration is wrong. I'm tired of the Hispanic community trying to speak for me.
After noting that opponents of the law claim that it "unfairly targets Hispanics," a soundbite of another protester was shown defending enforcement of the law: "I have nothing against Mexicans, Hispanics, Latin-Americans, whatever you want to call them. I do have a problem with people who sneak into our country."
At the end of the report, Hubbard noted those who have gathered to oppose the law: "Earlier in the day, the other side had its turn. Opponents of the bill gathering in their largest numbers yet marching on the state capitol to denounce this new law."
Below is a complete transcript of the report from the Sunday, May 30, Good Morning America on ABC:
RON CLAIBORNE: We begin with demonstrations both for and against Arizona's controversial new immigration law as thousands turned out for separate rallies in the state capital. ABC's Jeremy Hubbard has more.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN ON STAGE: This land is my land, but it is not your land!
JEREMY HUBBARD: Defending this maligned state, hundreds rallied in support of Arizona's new immigration law, some Hispanics among them. Why are you here?
JASON VERDUGO, SUPPORTS ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW: Because I believe in this cause. I believe that illegal immigration is wrong. I'm tired of the Hispanic community trying to speak for me.
HUBBARD: The main focus to endorse what they're calling a "buycott."
SUZANNE FERRIS, SUPPORTS ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW: We are going to buy inside Arizona as much as possible.
HUBBARD: It is their attempt to counter those boycotts everyone from city governments to musicians have now vowed to stop doing business in Arizona after passage of the controversial law requiring police to question suspected law breakers about their immigration status if there's a reasonable suspicion they're illegals. Critics say it unfairly targets Hispanics.
FERRIS: I have nothing against Mexicans, Hispanics, Latin-Americans, whatever you want to call them. I do have a problem with people who sneak into our country.
HUBBARD: Earlier in the day, the other side had its turn. Opponents of the bill gathering in their largest numbers yet marching on the state capitol to denounce this new law. What does it say that this many turned out?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: It says how important this issue is, that it's critical.
CLIP OF PROTESTERS CHANTING: USA, USA.
HUBBARD: Patching up the rift between both sides of this issue seems increasingly difficult. For Good Morning America, Jeremy Hubbard, ABC News, Phoenix.
-Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.