Station: WHYY, Inc.
City/State: Philadelphia, PA

Delaware Valley Voices

Brief description of project:
An original WHYY-TV program, Delaware Valley Voices examines how the world views America. Delaware Valley Voices airs Friday, May 23 at 5 p.m. on TV12.

Many immigrants are drawn to the United States by distorted media images of American culture only to end up as impoverished laborers, say participants in a new WHYY-TV special. The unique issues and concerns of today's immigrants will be examined in a special hour-long edition of DELAWARE TONIGHT's "Friday Forum" on Friday, May 23 at 5 p.m. on TV12.

The program features 36 residents from diverse communities across the Delaware Valley. Participants include immigrants from Ireland, India, Cuba, Russia, Taiwan, Liberia and more, as well as community activists and leaders in local academics and government. The program features discussions about how the world views the United States and how we as Americans must now be more aware of the impact of U.S. foreign policy. The discussions were taped during town meetings held at the WHYY Technology Center in Philadelphia and the WHYY Delaware Operations Center in Wilmington.

During the taping of the program, panelists explored the issues surrounding the topic of immigration, including America's current immigration policies, why people choose to immigrate to America, how citizens of other countries perceive America and where these perceptions come from. Delaware Valley Voices reveals that many immigrants have a distorted view of the United States prior to arriving, and addresses how the Federal Government provides little or no assistance to new immigrants to help them assimilate into American culture. In spite of these harsh realities, most immigrants still feel America is the best place to live on earth. To them, America provides freedom, prosperity, education, refuge and asylum.

For more information visit WHYY's Delaware Tonight Web site.

Partners:
1. Wendell Fenton, World Affairs Council of Wilmington
2. Letty Diswood, Co-President, League of Woman Voters, DE
3. Nadyne Rosin, Co-President, League of Woman Voters, DE
4. Ralph Begleiter, Journalist in Residence, University of Delaware
5. Mark J. Miller, Professor of Political Science and International Relations
6. Mario Matos, Executive Director and member, WHYY's Community Advisory Board
7. Fred Marino, General Manager, Southern Delaware Radio