Latino vote highlighted in "Crash The Parties"

KUSA - The Democrats are counting on the Latino vote to help them win back the White House this November, and this convention is hosting some young first-time reporters who are following that aspect of the DNC story in a very unique way. We took a look at Si TV's "Crash The Parties" effort on 9NEWS 5 a.m.

We spoke with Wendy Carrillo, who entered an online competition to become a DNC reporter for Si TV, a media company described as "an original English-language TV network and digital community for Latinos by Latinos."

Carrillo was born in El Salvador and moved to the U.S. at the age of six. Currently, she lives in East Los Angeles and works as a radio journalist at two Los Angeles radio stations.

Crash the Parties was a nationwide search for two young Latinos to cover the Democratic and Republican National Conventions as embedded reporters for Sí TV. Besides reporting on the DNC and RNC from this perspective, the effort is designed to encourage American Latinos to take part in the election process through voting, voicing their opinions, and active convention participation.

"The young Latino vote will carry significant influence in this Presidential election," said Michael Schwimmer, Sí TVs CEO. "It is crucial that the issues important to our audience are brought to the forefront and debated." CNN's Rick Sanchez will help mentor the young reporters, providing media tips and expert advice on interviewing the party nominees and others. Carrillo and another young journalist will report from both onventions, on air and online, offering their perspectives on the candidates, election, and issues. Their stories from the convention will also be available for viewing in Verizons V-Cast Elections 08 folder, available to 2 million subscribers." Crash the Parties is not only important from a political perspective, Sanchez said. We could be witnessing the launch of two remarkable careers." To support the multi-platform nature of Crash the Parties, Sí TV will air a virtual debate, called The Candidates Speak, featuring interviews with the Presidential candidates addressing issues important to the community, moderated before a live audience who will have the opportunity to provide reactions and commentary.

For more details please visit:

http://www.crashtheparties08.com/index.asp