LatinoVation: NAHJ Region 8 Conference

The "Oscar" selfie at LatinoVation 2014

The NAHJ Bay Area Chapter hosted the first regional conference of 2014: Latinovation. 

A special thank you to chapter president Vicki Adame, chapter leaders, national board members Sergio Quintana and Blanca Torres and all the volunteers who made “Latinovation” a huge success. 

with NABJ President Bob Butler

NLGJA President Jen Christensen and
UNITY President David Steinberg

 I also want to thank regional director Nathan Olivarez-Giles; director of programs Leslie-Anne Frank; our partner organizations NABJ, AAJA and NLGJA; our sponsors Toyota, United Airlines and Wells Fargo as well as the numerous local sponsors. 

Sergio Quintana, Mekahlo Medina, Nathan Olivarez-Giles, Blanca Torres

A fuerte abrazo to all the panelists, moderators, and of course to all who attended. You should all be very proud. It was a great start to our 30th anniversary celebration.

Vicki Adame

Blanca Torres

NAHJ Visits Seton Hall University

I was a guest speaker at my alma mater Seton Hall University in February.


I gave a lecture about the changing image of Latinos in the United States from the 1950's to today.

Here is the presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mDAXATNsc0xchm2_xkl-0Dvp0ZXMYS4Fusrr7hAFtrY/edit?usp=sharing

From left to right: Anthony DePalma, Writer-in-Residence, Denisse Oller, Director of the Joseph A. Unanue Institute, Dr. Joseph Lopez, Asst. Prof. of Physics

NAHJ Visits CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

I got the chance to visit with students at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism in February. We discussed careers in journalism, the work NAHJ does and the importance of diversity in newsrooms.

Here's the conversation:
Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxsWZjoiFEI

Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz0F2poc_9w

Part 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=632h7Yx1AVc

Part 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyw2u7Tped0

(2/21/14) The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) join like-kind associations and our concerned/outraged members in the increasingly dangerous/deadly nationwide protests in Venezuela. NAHJ demands that police (and government authorities) exercise restraint and caution in dealing with protestors and the journalists covering the story which is garnering worldwide attention. Among the demands from demonstrators (largely economic and social) is freedom of speech. The persecution of journalists for doing their jobs is unacceptable. Any attempt to censor or control news coverage of the demonstrations will only inflame an already perilous situation. NAHJ stands with Venezuelan journalists and all journalists who are victimized by governments and others for covering stories in the public’s best interest. To exert control of the media is to asphyxiate a community. NAHJ will work with other journalism groups in demanding the Venezuelan government cease their heavy handed tactics in dealing with these protests.

NAHJ also urges U.S. English-language news media to improve their coverage of the crisis in Venezuela. With the exception of CNN, the turmoil in the South American country hasn’t been given the attention it warrants. Venezuelans represent one of the largest Latino groups residing in the United States. The story is of interest to not only them, but Latinos from neighboring countries and the U.S. government.

While coverage has sorely lacked in English-language media, Spanish-language news outlets have done an exemplary job in providing fair, accurate and consistent coverage of the unrest in Venezuela. NAHJ applauds their hard work.

I will be reaching out to leaders in the English language news outlets to offer NAHJ’s assistance in covering this critical story.

Here’s an opinion article written by NAHJ Bay Area chapter president Vicki Adame.

NAHJ Calls For The Immediate Protection Of Journalists In Mexico

"Crimes against journalists exposing truths in the public’s best interest compromises the freedom of expression. For U.S. and Mexican leaders not to act now weakens the fundamental bricks of their democratic foundation..."

NAHJ issues this statement following the murder of Gregorio Jimenez in Veracruz, Mexico:
http://nahj.org/nahj-calls-for-the-immediate-protection-of-journalists-in-mexico/

The NAHJ Los Angeles chapter also called for and end to the violence against journalists who are victimized for doing their job:  http://nahjlosangeles.us/2014/02/18/1010/

NAHJ participa en programa de la radio sobre la importancia de aumentar las voces Latinas

"Los medios de comunicación están cambiando por tecnología y el aumento en el numero de personas que pueden participar en conversaciones al nivel nacional.  

Desafortunadamente, no se ha visto un aumento de la diversidad en los medios de comunicación convencional ni en noticia que sale de América Latina. 

En este programa hablemos sobre lo importante que es que haya mas latinos en nuestros medios de comunicación y da un resumen de la situación de periodismo en América Latina": .http://cytunidos.com/2014/02/13/voces-de-latinos-en-periodismo/

NAHJ on the lack of minority voices on Sunday morning political news

"A Media Matters review of the Sunday morning political talk shows finds that white males largely dominated the guest lists in 2013."

Article: http://mediamatters.org/research/2014/01/30/report-the-demographics-of-the-sunday-morning-p/197783

In 2014, White Men STILL Dominate TV News

HuffingtonPost segment: http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/in-2014-white-men-still-dominate-tv-news/52ea9ca62b8c2a6638000390

NAHJ joins Latino Leadership Conference to discuss the Latino identity

NAHJ joins the US Census and the Pew Research Center to discuss Latino identity. NAHJ presentation at 36 mins in: http://youtu.be/2CLuFr11r4g

I am very grateful to the Montgomery Community Media team for the invitation to represent NAHJ at the leadership summit in February.

As you can see from the discussion, media has a great influence in shaping people's view of Latinos. The issue is that much of what is projected feeds historical stereotypes, but that is changing.

Latinos in the U.S. are more diverse than what the government or most media projects this community to be.

In fact, they are changing the face and culture of what traditionally has been accepted as USA!

NAHJ Nevada Chapter Fundraiser

The NAHJ Nevada chapter held its second annual fundraiser benefiting student internships in February.

Local photographers donated their work for the event.

Congratulations to president Luz Gray, Region 7 director Michelle Rindels and the local chapter leadership.

My sincerest thanks to the artists and guests who donated their time, talent and money.

Hugo

NAHJ Nevada Chapter Board

Michelle Rindels, Luz Gray

Luz Gray, Megan Telles

NAHJ Joins Google for Journalism Summit in Miami Beach

The NAHJ South Florida chapter partnered with Google on the "Google For Media" summit held at the Fountainebleu Hotel in Miami Beach this January.

The day-long conference focused on the continuing evolution of social media and how it is increasingly a powerful tool for journalists.

with Pilar Portela-Webb & Christine Armario 

NAHJ NYC Chapter Holiday Party

The NYC Chapter celebrated the holidays with a wonderful event at the Mexican Festival Restaurant in Manhattan.

NYC Chapter leadership - December 2013

Jacqueline Baylon, Ivette Davila, Geraldine Azocar

Brenda Kessler (far right)

Washington DC Chapter Hosts Meeting at the White House

outside the White House, October 2013

The meeting at the White House was focused around the new health insurance program launched by president Obama's administration.

More than 30 percent of Latinos – lack health care coverage. A majority of Latinos indicate support for the Affordable Care Act.

But many felt left out because of the massive glitches in the Spanish language website designed to assist them.

White House staff

NAHJ DC chapter president Brandon Benavides

NAHJ Board Votes to Leave UNITY Journalists For Diversity

After much discussion and debate, the national board of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists voted to formally leave UNITY Journalists for Diversity.

Here are some articles written about the decision:
Vote went 13-2 in favor of leaving journalism diversity coalition:
http://www.thewrap.com/national-association-hispanic-journalists-leaves-unity/

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is the second group to leave UNITY since 2011, raising questions about whether it can survive:
http://www.cjr.org/minority_reports/nahj_leaves_unity.php?page=all

NAHJ leaders cite Unity’s ‘financial disorganization,’ ask board to vote to leave:
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/225312/nahj-leaders-cite-unitys-financial-disorganization-ask-board-to-vote-to-leave/