Associated Press (April 17, 2007)

WASHINGTON –PBS has hired a Hispanic documentarian to assist filmmaker Ken Burns with his upcoming World War II series, which had drawn complaints for failing to include the contributions of Hispanics.

Hector Galan, a film and television producer from Austin, Texas, will be
brought in to assist Burns with the 14-hour series, which has already been
produced and is scheduled for release in September.

Burns and PBS President Paula Kerger announced Galan’s hiring during a
private meeting at a Washington hotel Tuesday with members of various
Hispanic groups, members of Congress and other public television officials.
Galan also attended the meeting.

Darting into an elevator afterward, Burns said: “I feel like we listened, had a fair exchange and are moving to a win-win, positive solution to the problem.”

“It’s fantastic,” said Galan, who produced the 1996 series “Chicano! History
of The Mexican American Civil Rights Movement” for PBS.

Galan said he viewed the series over the weekend. There were images of
Hispanics, he said, but no discussion of their role in the war or how the
war affected their place in American society.

Hispanic groups protested that oversight, and asked that the film and
educational materials be redone to add the stories of Hispanic veterans. PBS
agreed to some of the requests last week.

About half a million Hispanics are believed to have fought in the war and 15
were Medal of Honor winners.

Burns’ series, made over six years, tells the story of the war through people from four communities — Waterbury, Conn.; Mobile, Ala.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Luverne, Minn. The film’s co-producer is Lynn Novick.

Galan said he is putting aside work on another film on Latin rhythms to work
with Burns. He described himself as a World War II buff whose father served
in the war as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers.

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On the Net: Galan Inc.: http://www.galaninc.com/site/
Florentine Films: http://www.florentinefilms.com/

If they are inaccurate about us, they are probably inaccurate about others. We should start an online campaign utilizing the web as much as possible as well as viral email. This should go worldwide. The fact that Burns is inaccurate and is providing entertainment and not history. Also the fact that PBS is condoning it under the guise of artistic freedom–artistic freedom? I thought this was history and that above all else truth and accuracy were paramount.