News professionals and community representatives will gather Saturday, November 7 to discuss the state of news coverage of ethnic minorities, such as Latinos, in Connecticut.

Forum on Latinos & the News Media, will take place at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Institute for Puerto Rican & Latino Studies and co-sponsored by the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, the Department of Communication Sciences and The Hartford Courant.

Preliminary research conducted through the Institute for Puerto Rican and Latino Studies and the Department of Communication Sciences shows that Latino readers and viewers expect more from the media around them with regard to community coverage, says Diana I. Rios, assistant professor of communication sciences and associate director, Institute for Puerto Rican & Latino Studies.

Latino citizens are concerned that the mainstream media, in particular, will ignore them or tend to cover them with stories about crime and violence, she says.

The keynote speakers are nationally syndicated columnists Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez, who will discuss journalism and social change. Other speakers include: Bessy Reyna, associate editor of El Extra News, "The history and role of El Extra News in New England;" a representative of La Voz Hispana, "The history and role of La Voz Hispana;" Xae Alicia Reyes, of Rhode Island College, "Education beyond the classroom: asking questions about the media;" Helen Ubinas, reporter, The Hartford Courant, "Local, national and international news coverage of Latino.

issues;" Cindy Sinicrope, executive producer, NBC-30, "Producing the News; Judy Echavez, reporter, NBC-30, "Reporting the News;" Rod Carveth, Eastern Connecticut State University, "Connecticut television's broadcast news coverage of Latinos;" Jennifer Watson, WFSB-Channel 3, "Covering the News;" and Jeff Rivers, associate editor, The Hartford Courant.

For information call Diana Rios at (860) 486-3187. RSVP for the free breakfast and lunch by calling Miriam at (860) 486-3997.

Sherry Fisher