Hmong T.V. Milestone Set with New WI Broadcast

With volunteer power and local officials' help, Hmong get a media vehicle of their own

Wausau, WI - July 2003 - Hmong News has hit the airwaves, broadcasting from WJFW, a public television station in Wausau.

"I’m excited about the show," said Blong Yang, youth coordinator of the Wausau Hmong Association and co-anchor of Wausau’s Hmong News media. "I think it’s going to be the first Hmong commercial T.V. in the United States. There are some cable stations, but there’s never been a regular access television program broadcasted in Hmong before."

The program, which began in Wausau this April, can bring the issues of the community into the hearts and minds of people formerly cut off from such information due to language barriers.

"I’ve already had elderly folks who are isolated at home say they can’t wait until the time it comes on," Yang said with a smile on his voice. "They really like the program. It’s a chance for them to learn what’s going on with their neighbors and the world."

The Wausau program airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Channel 12, and features a news-style format and guests addressing topics from education to politics.

"The whole program is in Hmong, even the commercials," Yang said. "It’s really new to the community. That’s why they’re so impressed – it’s the first time they’ve seen commercials in Hmong."

Educational speakers featured on the show thus far include a Hmong psychologist, Hmong police officers, a local Hmong female hero, the Hmong Association board president and chief operating officer, and a Hmong visiting the U.S. from Laos.

"We talk on certain topics we think will be interesting to Hmong communities and basically address what we feel the Hmong people need to know," Yang added.

The city of Wausau has provided Hmong News with all the equipment, training and other information necessary to launch the weekly program; however, a full complement of volunteers is still needed.

"We are in need of help," Yang said. "We need people to operate cameras, search for news, translate news, and anchor the show."

People interested in volunteering don’t need a background in television to participate -- what’s most important to Yang is that they’re willing to make a long-term commitment of their time.

"They just need to be committed to the program so we don’t have to search for people all the time."

In addition to filling positions on Hmong News, the manager of Channel 12 is also looking to fill the position of Youth Coordinator of the Wausau Hmong Association.

Wausau’s Hmong News might be the first public access channel broadcasted in Hmong, but they can learn a great deal from their Appleton, Wisconsin predecessor – which has been broadcasting Bridging Hmong American since 1992.

The program was a brainchild of Karen Dickrell and Melissa Borth, who continue to work as co-producers of the show, and a group of Hmong community leaders. The group was essentially looking for a way to do their jobs better. They recognized that the Hmong people made up a significant demographic, which they were not reaching by traditional means.

"In 1991 I brought some people together to see what some potential programs might be," Dickrell said. "We wrote a mini-grant to get some funding for start up costs and we’ve been producing ever since 1992."

Bridging Hmong American currently has broadcasted over 175 shows with topics ranging from parenting issues to community gardens and safe fishing practices.

"My challenge was to bring information and education to the Hmong families where they live and work in a format that was culturally sensitive, appropriate, and timely," Dickrell said. The show’s flame has burned strong for over ten years now, in large part because of a host of Hmong volunteers that see its importance in the community.

"I’ve been fortunate to work with many Hmong volunteers that have done everything from camera work to interviewing to setting up programs and actually producing the show," Dickrell said.

Maiyoua Thao is one of those volunteers – taking time from her busy schedule at two family businesses and a house full of little ones to host the show every Wednesday night.

"The reason that I get involved with the show is because I want there to be something for the Hmong community to watch," said Thao, one of the show’s hosts for the past year. "I want the Hmong community to have something that they can feel they are a part of."

"I’ve heard so many good comments from the community," Thao said. "Many of the Hmong elders are happy to have a Hmong show on every week – it’s like a news channel for them to watch. There are not a lot of programs that involve things about the Hmong community, so many of them watch the show and are surprised to even see a Hmong show on TV."

When fellow Hmong people see Thao they are full of questions about the show.

"’Where did learn to type?’ ‘Why are you doing a Hmong cable show?’ ‘Are you the person on TV?’ ‘I just saw you on TV last night, can we get that recipe?’ ‘Keep up the good work so our Hmong community can have something to depend on,’" Thao listed with a grin. "Many of the good comments are coming from Hmong people and American people too," she added. "Many of my co-workers, customers from Asian taste, and classmates are all watching the show."

"My long-term goals for the program are to have it go for a long time, and to have a permanent position for someone to work on so it can be an ongoing program," she said. "I hope that someday we can air on Wisconsin Public Television, so everyone outside of the Fox Valley and Green Bay could watch too."

The Appleton station tapes their shows every other Wednesday late afternoon and airs the show shortly thereafter at 7 p.m. on the Time Warner Community Access Channel 4.

The range of topics the show covers really has no bounds – but it is always in response to a need of education expressed by Hmong community leaders.

"We cover topics that deal with family issues and parenting," Dickrell said.

Shows run the gamut including: letting folks know about community gardens and how to use them; where it is safe to go fishing and keep the fish; various ways to cook foods commonly donated to the food pantry; nutrition … and the list goes on and on.   Some of the shows deal with very basic skills, but can be tremendously valuable.

"We did a show on cooking with foods like macaroni and cheese," Dickrell said. "We made it the traditional way and showed several ways to add different ingredients to make it a well-balanced meal."

Upcoming topics Dickrell hopes to address on the show as soon as possible include the difference between health insurance and life insurance and what is necessary to gain access to health care.

Bridging Hmong American broadcasts from the Time Warner Cable Community Access Studio in Kimberly – receiving all their airtime free. Without having to spend time earning sponsorship dollars, and cast and crew donating their time, the cost of the show are minimal.

"It’s been a wonderful opportunity for me to meet so many talented community members who want to make a better life and bring the resources to as many Hmong families as possible," Dickrell said. "It’s opened a lot of doors."

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