Hugo Balta: Champion of Change

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Washington D.C. based premier organization of Latino journalists from across the country, is being led by a Connecticut Latino working out of ESPN in Bristol.

That man is Hugo Balta and in his first year in office he is a “Champion of Change” improving opportunities for Latinos in the media and holding the media in general to higher standards of professionalism.

Here is the CTLatinonews.com article:

http://ctlatinonews.com/blog/2012/12/20/champions-of-change-top-latinos-in-arts-and-media/

First Be Right, Then Be First (The Coverage of The Connecticut School Shooting)

As the horrible elementary school shooting story out of Newtown, Connecticut unfolded on Friday, journalists raced to be the first in providing details. They inundated every platform (television, radio, digital) with wave after wave of information.  

The problem is that it was misinformation.

The glaring errors are the outcome of an impatient media culture that too often steps on the gas when it should put on the brakes.

Here’s the OpEd I wrote for Fox News Latino:

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2012/12/15/hugo-balta-first-be-right-then-be-first-when-covering-breaking-news/

Entrevista con la revista digital: La Diaspora

´´El periodismo me da la oportunidad de agradecer a las personas que ayudaron a mis padres´´

 

 

Haz click aqui: http://peruimmigrationdocumentationproject.blogspot.com/2012/11/entrevista-hugo-balta-jr-primer.html#!/2012/11/entrevista-hugo-balta-jr-primer.html

NAHJ South Florida's Annual Charity Mixer

On Thursday, December 13 - the NAHJ South Florida chapter held its annual charity mixer at the Cafeina Wynwood Lounge.

In collaboration with Strong Women Strong Girls (SWSG), the NAHJ South Florida chapter collected new and gently used children’s books for ages 8-10 in Spanish and English.

Books were donated to South Florida school libraries in need.



There was great local Latin jazz.

It was a great opportunity to thank members who have supported NAHJ for years as well as welcome new members to our great association.

A very special thanks to chapter president Pia Malbran and the board for organizing the event!

NAHJ South Florida Chapter website:

http://www.nahjsouthflorida.org/

La ética del fotoperiodismo

Mi entrevista con Cafe CNN sobre la ética del fotoperiodismo y la responsabilidad de publicar imágenes sensibles.

Haz click aqui:
 http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2012/12/06/cnnee-new-york-post-contreversy.cnn.html

Region 5 Conference: Encuentro En San Antonio

The final regional conference of the year concluded in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.



 "Encuentro en San Antonio" featured panel discussions about the Latino vote in this year's election, the future of Spanish language media and diversity in U.S. newsrooms.

Training included social media and ethics.



with Executive Director Anna Lopez Buck

I was happy to meet so many excited members who were grateful for the event.

We planned for 70, hoped for 100 and 175 members showed up!!

With Region 5 Director Bonnie Gonzalez and students

 

A video recap of the NAHJ/SAAHJ Region 5 conference in San Antonio. A special thanks to NAHJ secretary/KGO-TV reporter, Sergio Quintana who produced the video.

A special thanks to Elaine Ayala, Nora Lopez and the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) for organizing the event!

Fox News Latino's election night's coverage

Here's the "sizzle" reel of Fox News Latino's election night coverage with Rick Sanchez.

http://video.latino.foxnews.com/v/1958160684001/elecciones-2012-con-rick-sanchez/?playlist_id=932064023001

paying close attention or perhaps very concerned at the latest poll results?

I was happy to be one of the invited on-set guests for that historic night.

El camino a la Casa Blanca es a traves de 'El Barrio'

El 6 de noviembre es el momento para que el gigante durmiente se despierte.

 

Se espera que más de 12.2 millones de votantes latinos voten el día de elecciones, de acuerdo con el fondo educativo de la National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials del Fondo de Educación (NALEO), por sus siglas en inglés.

Es un número impresionante hasta que ud. lo pone al lado de otro de igual importancia: 10 millones. Ese es el número aproximado de latinos que no votará el martes. 

 

¿Qué beneficio les hace a los latinos ser una fuerza de más de 50 millones (de acuerdo con el Bureau del Censo de Estados Unidos) si los cerca de 24 millones de ciudadanos que están en edad para votar no “ejercen su derecho al voto”?

 

Para leer el articulo completo, haz clic aqui:

http://m.univisionaustin.univision.com/destino-2012/panorama-electoral/article/2012-11-06/elecciones-6-de-noviembre-casa-blanca?id=1335533

The Road To The White House Is Through El Barrio

It's time for the sleeping GIANT to awaken on election day.

 

Here is an opinion editorial I wrote for NBC Latino:

http://nbclatino.com/2012/11/05/op-ed-the-road-to-the-white-house-is-through-el-barrio/

Entrevista con La Revista Semanal TV Programa

Human Beings Are Not Illegal

The presidential election is igniting once again the immigration reform debate and, with it, the continuing argument on how to describe a community of more than 11 million people who live and work in the United States.

Illegal immigrants? Illegal aliens? Illegals? Undocumented immigrants? Undocumented workers?
Here is an opinion editorial I wrote for Fox News Latino:

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2012/10/25/hugo-balta-human-beings-are-not-illegal/#ixzz2AQtSYI3l

Association of Peruvian Journalists NJ/NY join 1,000 Voces For NAHJ

Many thanks to the Association of Peruvian Journalists in New Jersey/New York for organizing a wonderful event Saturday night, honoring NAHJ and myself.

NAHJ is close to raising $20,000 in donations and commitments....please help your association continue to grow....please donate today: 1,000 Voces for NAHJ

 

 APJ raised more than $1,000 for the "1,000 Voces" for NAHJ fundraising campaign.



Mr & Mrs Balta Sr
 

 

ProfNet Connect Chat: Hugo Balta

In September, ProNet invited me to participate in a Connect Chat on  "Hispanic Media 2012".

We discussed various issues affecting the Hispanic media community including content creation, finding a job, media competition and much more.

Many thanks to ProfNet's Evelyn Tipacti for the opportunity:











This is the link of the chat: http://www.profnetconnect.com/evelyntipacti/blog/2012/09/26/connectchat_recap:_hispanic_media_2012

Interview with CT Latino News

CT Latino News, an English language news website focusing on Latinos invited me for an interview about the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, media companies focusing on targeting Latinos to grow their business and my career.

A million thanks to CT Latino News founder Diane Aliverio and Karen Cortés

Here's the link:
http://ctlatinonews.com/blog/2012/10/02/nations-top-latino-media-watchdog-calls-ct-home/

Interview at WNPR Radio

Latinos make up one-sixth of the nation's population, but accounted for more than half of the country's population growth from 2000 to 2010, according to the latest census.

Former  NAHJ President and Lifetime Member Dian Alverio and I were guests on Hartford's WNPR Radio's program Where We Live to discuss the changing media landscape as companies work to grow their business by attracting the booming Latino community.

A special thank you to host John Dankosky, Catie Talarski and the WNPR team.

Click here for the interview:
http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/node/22232

I am donating $1,000 in the hopes of generating 1,000 donations of at least $20 each.

Please join me and be part of "1,000 Voces" for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Your tax deductible donation helps support Latino journalists, communicators and students who give a voice to an underserved community.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Click here to make a donation:

https://www.sagepayments.net/eftcart/forms/donate.asp?M_id=739546769527

 

Balta Acceptance Speech (8/3/12)

Thank you, thank you....muchisimas gracias!!!

Yes, we can!!!!! Si, Se Puede!!!!

I want to first begin by thanking 6 women who aren't just my friends...they're my sisters:

an amazing campaign manager Vicki Adame and tireless advisors/leaders Yvonne Latty, Rebecca Aguilar, Sylvia Jauregui, Maria Burns Ortiz and Joanna Hernandez.

None of this would have been possible if not for you....las quiero con todo mi corazon.

I want to thank the dozens of supporters, NAHJ members, colleagues and friends in and outside our industry who supported me these last two months, encouraging me to keep positive...amazing people like Monica Rhor, Veronica Villafane, Ivan Roman, Daniel Morales, Ramon Escobar, Joe Rodriguez and countless others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I want to thank my family at ESPN, who only after hiring me a few short months supported my journey to run for NAHJ President, understanding how important this association is to me and all of us. To ESPN, PepsiCo, United, General Motors, Univision and our many sponsors -- thank you. You are our partners and make many of the projects, services and programs NAHJ champions possible.

I want to thank my family....certainly my wife Adriana.

She's the foundation that helps me "keep on, keeping on".

And while she isn’t here – I think it important to recognize her love and support.

I want to recognize Russell Contreras and all of the candidates who ran for board positions. The path to lead is paved in sacrifice...we all thank you and hope that regardless of the election outcome....you will actively participate in restoring NAHJ.

I ask that all of you...help me salute president Michelle Salcedo and the current board. Thank you...due, in great part to your decisions - NAHJ is still here for all of us and the community we serve.

NAHJ Nation....there are no obstacles we cannot overcome together.

I, confidently accept the position of NAHJ President....knowing in my heart that no matter what challenges are ahead - I am not facing them alone. This isn't an association led by one person or a few. It is a nation of journalists, students, associates and others who will come together and restore NAHJ.

We will restore NAHJ's financial stability.

We will restore NAHJ's reputation.

We will restore NAHJ's pride.

While NAHJ must continue to make conservative decisions on spending, it will not be at the cost of core services to members and sponsors.

We need to grow again and create new revenue streams by actively fundraising. The board, the local chapters, sponsors and you -- the members of NAHJ will be key in our success.

Student members currently represent the majority of NAHJ's membership. They are not just the future of NAHJ....they are its present. You will have the right to decide NAHJ’s leaders.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has a proud history of speaking out for, on behalf of and support in the fair treatment of Latino journalists. NAHJ advocates for the proper representation of Latinos employed in the media, the training and education of its members and engages in debate that promotes the fair and accurate coverage of the Latino community.

As President, one of my main responsibilities will be to lead the Board in ensuring the association is faithful to that mission.

                

My vision is not only for NAHJ to fight for a just media system, but to lead the discussion towards that end. We must nurture relationships with media companies in order to assist them in reaching goals and avoiding questionable practices. It is only through those “enlaces” that NAHJ can help develop strategies that can be measured and held accountable.

Massive journalism cutbacks have ousted many of our dedicated members, some lifetime members from the industry. They may now be working in the public relations or communications field, but they're still journalists at heart. Let's welcome them back home and get them a seat at the table. This isn't the time to segregate, but unify NAHJ. Their experience will help the association cover new relevant ground.

Aquí también se habla el Español. La Associacion de Periodistas Hispanos no es solamente para los latinos en los medios de inglés.

Tenemos que ofrecer mas servicios, oportunidades de empleo y mas apoyo a los miembros que trabajan en medios en español.

NAHJ leadership will be clear and inclusive in the decision-making by allowing members to voice their opinions and participate in the process.

We will have an open door policy for members to have their voices heard and feel respected.  No one person can claim success or failure. We win or lose together. Unidos hacemos la fuerza.

NAHJ NATION...the saying in Las Vegas goes "what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas. Don't let that happen.

Let members, sponsors, like kind associations and friends from the Big Apple to South Beach...from the Windy City to don't mess with Texas...from the Rockies to Hollywood know -- that we, The National Association of Hispanic Journalists came together, put aside our differences, united at unity 2012, daringly facing the challenges before us and in one powerful, confident voice said --- YES, WE CAN....SI, SE PUEDE!!!!

NAHJ: The Privilege Of Leading

NAHJ Nation,

   These past few weeks you have been presented with many ideas on how to restore NAHJ by some of the candidates running for a board position. While the road map to getting there is up for debate; what's certain is our best interests for the association we all care for and believe in.

   In my final message to you, I want to discuss the privilege of leading. 

   All candidates have good intentions, but not every person has the experience and qualities necessary to organize, hold accountable and inspire a group to succeed.

    My opponent has some leadership skills. He has proven to be decisive, able to execute plans and is engaged. He has also shown to be divisive with the board and members; disrespectful in communicating and of others; not open to ideas and feedback. I think, possibly with the right training and mentoring he can (one day) be the right person to be president of NAHJ, but not now. We cannot afford training on the job.

   I am an experienced and proven leader.

   I have led many newsrooms in both markets (English, Spanish languages), distinct business cycles (budgets), several platforms and different communities (U.S. and Latin America). I have and continue to coach many professionals, entrepreneurs and students about careers in communication (journalism, production, marketing, sales, specialty content). I started a media company and co-founded a social networking group. I am a lifetime member of NAHJ (organized and led several projects as a member, founder of a local chapter, regional director and VP of broadcast).

   Through it all, I can confidently tell you - without apologies or excuses: any success I've had has been more to do with the talent and skills of the people I led than my own.

   Leadership is not about me, it's about we.

   It's having the confidence of knowing your strengths and ability to understand (and accept) your weaknesses. I take pride in surrounding myself with people who compliment what I bring to the table and who certainly excel at what I need to improve on. 

   Leadership is about being inclusive with your vision. The best ideas are not the ones that come from one person. The best ideas are the ones that are shared with a group and then evolve into something better, even more special than the original (but still faithful to it).

   Leadership is about having the right temperament. You need to have the skill to properly present projects to sponsors and members which sometimes result in receiving constructive/negative feedback....it's not personal.

   Leadership is about image. It's about understanding you represent more than just yourself, but also NAHJ. And that means always being aware that what you say and do is a reflection (of what that person, sponsor, organization) will think of NAHJ and its members. Be protective of that image; nurture it.

   Leadership is not about wanting to be served, but a willingness to serve others. It's about extending your hand and asking, "how can I help you?"

   These are many of the lessons I have leaned in my career and personal life.....and I am happy to say - I'm still learning.

   I'm Hugo Balta and I want to be your next NAHJ president.

   Please take the time to vote today:

   https://eballot4.votenet.com/nahj/login.cfm

Juan Gonzalez Questions For NAHJ Presidential Candidate Hugo Balta

Dear Hugo and Russell:

The tenor of the NAHJ elections has so far been both disheartening and embarrassing to many longtime members. You’ve both expressed a desire to refrain from any further personal attacks, either directly or through your supporters, and that’s a positive step. I applaud the courage of you both for seeking to lead the organization at such a critical time. But there continues to be too much outcry over the process of the elections, over the details of past finances, over how people are being treated personally, and not enough attention on the substance of how to rescue this organization and move it forward.

We all know NAHJ is in dire financial straits. We should all be thankful that the current board steered it through this long and painful year.

But it is imperative that we raise the level of the debate over NAHJ’s future. In any profound crisis, it becomes easier to point fingers, fight among themselves and split up, than to devise cogent, clear plans that unite the most people and move us forward.

Unless I’m missing something, neither of you has yet presented a cohesive plan or vision for NAHJ. Videos about personal histories and your work experience are all well and good. And slogans like Second Half and Yes We Can are catchy. But some of us are old fashioned. We tend to examine first the philosophy, policies and concrete proposals of a candidate rather than his or her commercials. In addition, given that promises are easier to make than to fulfill, we also examine how well the candidates have fulfilled past commitments.

Joe Torres forwarded to you today a list of media policy issues that a few of us veteran NAHJ members would and other members of your respective slates and independents address..

I have another set of questions, however, on how the two of you envision getting the organization off its feet, from where it is today.

1.    On annual conventions:

Hugo seems to favor moving forward with a national convention in 2013, hopefully in Los Angeles in a hotel, as opposed to a convention center. However, it is already extremely late for booking hotel conventions for next year, NAHJ’s track record in Orlando left it owing money (which will affect it’s credit worthiness with any future hotels), the organization has very little cash on-hand, and Los Angeles is an expensive city for hotels. How do you envision overcoming those obstacles, especially when we currently have only an interim director on staff? Remember, with no regular employees you would then have to hire a convention organization to plan and staff the event and that vendor would end up siphoning off a big portion of any convention revenues.

          Russell, if I am not mistaken, seems to favor making next year a regional convention year, and perhaps partnering in 2014 for a national convention with one of the Unity groups or another national Latino group. His plan would eliminate the risk of incurring greater debt immediately, but it would also eliminate the big draw for national sponsors to give money to NAHJ next year. It would leave NAHJ with virtually no money to service its members during 2013-2014, though the surplus from Unity could go to pay largely the salary of an interim executive director, who could then identify new sources of future funding. So Russell, how long do you think NAHJ can survive with no staff and no office, and when do you see reversing the downward spiral of less money and less services?

Hugo:

Thank you very much for this opportunity.

All of these questions require research, counseling and debate.

As far as taking the convention to Los Angeles, I will lean greatly on CCNMA (who have already reached out to the candidates with a willingness to partner in such an enterprise providing staff and local expertise) and of course NAHJ members. It is my understanding that there is a Los Angeles group who hope to present (to the new board) a plan.

I agree that a convention is Los Angeles will be costly, but there are benefits to offset some of the challenges – primarily destination (for members and sponsors). While I think hotels would be a good alternative to a convention hall….universities might also be a more realistic option.

I wouldn’t dismiss alternatives to a convention in Los Angeles (as long as it is fiscally and logistically prudent for NAHJ and its members). And I wouldn’t force an annual convention in 2013, if it did not make financial sense.

To your point…it might be too late to organize an annual convention in 2013. Such decisions have historically been made by the previous board leading up to the convention (and that is not the case this year).

It’s difficult to answer this question definitively prior to the election. If elected to be president – it will be one of the first items I will direct the new board to research, discuss and decide on.

2.    On student projects, mid-career development, and the Hall of Fame. Hugo, do you favor keeping the student projects next year if you are elected, and how would you pay for them? Russell, how would your “regionals every other year” approach address the student projects? And while your regionals approach would depend on local chapters and regional directors to do most of the organizing work, NAHJ’s track record of allowing local groups to keep some of the money they make from those events, or even their portions of dues money, has not been good. How would your regionals approach strengthen the local chapters? Do both of you envision keeping the Hall of Fame Awards and the journalism awards as annual competitions?

Hugo:

I do not support any program that does not have the funding required to plan and produce it.

I think what was needed in the past two years (as a compliment to or instead of the financial committee) was a fundraising committee. NAHJ, like all not-for-profits relies on fundraising to provide the services to its members. The loss of the staff has crippled NAHJ’s ability to do so.

In speaking with some sponsors there is an interest in supporting the student projects and mid-career training because those programs are in line with their own initiatives (and budget).

The question/challenge is what type of interest (if any) would there be for those programs outside of a national convention.

3.    On the issue of defining regular members. The issue of restricting NAHJ membership to working journalists has been a recurring one since the organization was founded. Clearly the industry has undergone dramatic transformation in the past few years. Many of our members have seen it necessary to go into public relations, while many do now do reporting on blogs and websites, yet earn the bulk of their income from other types of work. But given the enormous power of the public relations industry (the big companies not the small mom-and-pop variety), there is a real danger of NAHJ’s regular membership being inundated by former Latino journalists now working for major companies (just one example, and she is a very good friend of mine, is Mari Santana of Disney, who used to work for Channel 47). Please specify the position both of you on any bylaws changes to the definition of Regular and Associate Members?

Hugo:

It is my opinion that NAHJ needs to accept professionals in the communications industry as regular members and that there needs to be a seat on the Board in order to have their voices heard.

It is clear to me that the new Board will need to look at many of its bylaws and discuss changes that will better reflect the new reality of our industry (and members), make decisions to restore the association without undermining its present and future.

We can look to the other affinity groups who have tackled this same issue (as a guide on what’s best for NAHJ).

I understand and defend the “J” in NAHJ, but I would be foolish (as president) not to discuss changes with the Board and members.

4.    On changing the structure of the NAHJ board. Some veteran NAHJ members, like ex-president Diane Alverio, have favored bringing non-journalists from the corporate or financial world on to the NAHJ board to assist in some areas were our boards have historically been weak – financial oversight, fundraising. Would you favor such an approach? Why or why not? What do you see as the pitfalls or limitations of this?

Hugo:

I agree in exploring bringing non-journalists from the corporate/financial world on to the NAHJ board. We can only benefit from their expertise (that is their 9-5 job).

I do not dismiss any of the hard work by previous boards (and their financial officers); some who have some experience in (or talent for) finances.

But, I say – bring on the experts. It will still be up to the board to make the final decision. The only limitations or pitfalls is in handing over complete control. If the board appoints them, provides a reasonable timetable (with scheduled meetings) to discuss, approve, plan and execute – NAHJ would have much to gain.

5.    On “break-through” fundraising. Over the course of NAHJ’s life, there were three “break-through” ideas that drew major support from philanthropic foundations and media companies and helped the organization grow dramatically. First, was the original idea in the early 1980s to create a national Hispanic journalists group, made possible by several grants of $100,000 from the Gannett foundation that made the birth of NAHJ possible. Then came in the late 1980s, the idea of creating UNITY, which was made possible by huge grants from the Ford Foundation to help all the organizations grow and create our historic alliance. Then in 2003-2004 came the Parity Project, which ended up raising about $1.4 million from the McCormick Tribune Foundaton in several grants, as well as another  $125,000 from the Knight Foundation. It’s my experience that foundations and companies don’t donate money to help you out of a financial bind – they invest in powerful ideas that can bring about change in a society, community or industry. What “break-through” idea have you been mulling over for NAHJ, one for which you would take the lead in developing a business plan for and convincing a major foundation to invest in?

Hugo:

I think media companies are struggling to find candidates who will help them achieve their business goal to effectively target the booming Latino community.

We know that there is no “one way” to reach out to the 50 million + Latinos in the U.S.

The Census likes to put us all into one bucket because it’s simple, but the reality is that we are very diverse (language fluency, race, country of origin (personal or family), etc.)

    

 There are few Latinos who have the experience (and training) to navigate through both distinct markets (English and Spanish language), understanding of the differences between Latinos in the west coast Vs. the east coast and the sensibilities of a household where often there are preferences in the consumption of news, information and entertainment (English, Spanish, both languages).

     NAHJ can be the resource in helping these companies find these specialized candidates.

     It’s not just about training members at regional conferences and conventions or providing their resumes on the NAHJ website. I’d like to explore the possibility of using a format borrowed from the Parity Project in providing grants to place journalists (at all levels) in newsrooms. The program would be finite (3-6 quarters), specific (project driven), measured (scheduled feedback sessions) and hopefully result in permanent jobs. A rotation perhaps from one market (and platform) to the next during their tenure…field training and experience.

     I’ve had the benefit of working in both markets (English and Spanish) and can attest to the wasted resources (financial and time) by media companies who are looking for a silver bullet (and hiring fly by night experts) when they can be investing in a program that develops journalists, makes them more marketable and assists (the companies) for the long term.

Don’t feel you have to give provide detailed position papers on these questions. A paragraph or two would suffice. Please give us something of substance that we can judge your candidacies on. And good luck to both of you.

Sincerely,

Juan Gonzalez

     

Advocacy Journalism

In the last couple of days many members have asked poignant questions of the candidates running for the NAHJ Board.

I think these questions (and the practice) are very important in assisting members in making informed decisions as they vote.

I wanted to share with you my answers in response to NAHJ and its role in advocacy journalism.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has a proud history of speaking out for, on behalf of and support in the fair treatment of Latino journalists in this country (and abroad). NAHJ advocates for the proper representation of Latinos employed in the media, the training and education of its members and engages in debate that promotes the fair and accurate coverage of the Latino community.

As President, one of my main responsibilities will be to lead the Board in ensuring the association is faithful to that mission.

                

My vision is not only for NAHJ to fight for a just media system, but to lead the discussion towards that end. It is my experience as a manager that too often NAHJ reacts when it should be acting. It isn’t enough for the association to wave its finger at media companies and say “shame on you”. It must nurture relationships with them in order to assist in reaching goals and avoiding questionable practices specific to Latinos.

NAHJ needs to reintroduce itself to media companies who (too often) see it as a Latino journalism watchdog group. The media companies need to see NAHJ as an organization that is willing to help them in meeting their goals (Latino initiatives), present them with ideas to improve the quality of their content (rules and standards) and provide them with candidates (potential employees, experts (as guests)).

NAHJ cannot lead the improvement of the coverage of Latinos or increase the presence and influence of them in newsrooms without establishing relationships with media companies. It is only through those “enlaces” that NAHJ can help develop strategies that can be measured and held accountable for. Right now, sponsorships are the only topics dominating the communication with media companies.

And of course, NAHJ needs to be prepared to engage media companies when their coverage of Latinos and treatment of employees (Latinos) is questionable. It’s not only about denouncing the action (if it warrants), but also using it as a learning tool to help the media company avoid such an action in the future.

I would also like to add that I believe that as an association (and as a journalist) we cannot afford to stay in the sidelines in covering issues that affect the community we serve (and are a part of).

We shouldn't hide under the blanket of objectivity when it comes to reporting on education, human rights, immigration, employment and the countless other social ailments that affect all Latinos (not just foreign born).

It is only by understanding that who we are (ethnicity, gender, age, where we live, etc.) effects our decision making and how we cover stories that we truly achieve fair and accuracy in our reporting (and not just being objective).

We need to partner with groups that will help our members understand the plight of our community and how to best tell their stories, fight for their rights.

Let us not forget that we, as journalists give voice to the voiceless, hold the powerful accountable and empower our community to take action.