Univision to Host Hispanic Forums With Obama, Romney

Jorge Ramos, Maria Elena Salinas to moderate candidate events in partnership with Facebook

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/24/2012 2:46:22 PM

Univision may have failed in its attempt to get one of its anchors to moderate a presidential debate, but it has gotten President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to agree to participate in forums to address issues of importance to Hispanic voters.

The network will host "Meet the Candidate" events moderated by Univision anchors Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas and conducted in Spanish and English. The forums, each featuring one of the candidates, will take place in the lead-up to Election Day in front of a live audience in partnership with Facebook.

"These events speak to President Obama and Governor Romney recognizing the important role Hispanic America will play in the elections and in defining the future of our country," said Univision News President Isaac Lee.

Univision CEO Randy Falco last week petitioned the Commission on Presidential Debates to add a debate with a Univision anchor after no Hispanic journalists were chosen as moderators. The Commission declined the request.