Univision ’34 a Su Lado’ 2004 John Swett Award For Media Excellence.

An independent panel of media professionals selected the public affairs show, “34 a Su Lado” to receive the California Teachers Association’s prestigious 2004 John Swett Award for Media Excellence. The award which is the highest honor the California Teachers Association can bestow upon media professionals is designed to honor individuals, publications, television and radio stations for their outstanding achievements in reporting and interpreting public education issues during 2004. Univision Los Angeles’ “34 a Su Lado” won in the category of “TV Station Local Produced.”

Univision 34 Los Angeles was one of thirteen entries recognized at the CTA’s State Council of Education meeting held at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport on Saturday, June 11, 2005.

“34 a Su Lado” now in its third year is a segment that airs several times a month during the station’s local newscast, “Noticias 34.” The segments feature a phone bank manned by community experts from non-profit organizations and government agencies who answer healthcare, education, home ownership, voter registration and immigration law questions of vital interest to Los Angeles’ Hispanic community. Viewers call in via a toll-free number for professional advice on their specific concerns. On a typical “A Su Lado” evening, over 20,000 calls are received. In addition to the phone bank, follow-up information is provided during the early morning newscast “Noticias Univision 34 Primera Edicion,” as well as in La Opinion, the nation’s largest Spanish-language daily newspaper.

“The mission of our newscasts is to serve the community by providing the best news content and the tools viewers need to improve the quality of their lives,” said Jorge Delgado, President and General Manager of Univision 34 Los Angeles. “This is just one of the reasons why our newscasts are the most watched in Los Angeles. It is gratifying to see our work recognized by California’s educators as well as our colleagues in the media.”

Over the years, “34 a Su Lado” has featured representatives from a number of local, state and federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, Los Angeles County Office of Education and California’s low cost insurance program, Healthy Kids. In 2003, “34 a Su Lado” made history by securing the participation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). This was the first time that the INS answered questions in Spanish on a live show with a call-in format.

“34 a Su Lado” has been the recipient of numerous awards including a 2002 Emmy Community Service Award, the 2004 Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a Commendation from the Los Angeles City Council.