Peruvian Parade - Harrison/Kearny New Jersey 2013

On Sunday, July 21, 2013 I was honored by the Peruvian Civic Association of New Jersey by being named Grand Marshall of the Peruvian Parade Harrison/Kearny, New Jersey.

The parade was filled with the colorful sights and sounds that is customary with any Peruvian parade. It was wonderful to see so many different generations of Peruvians.

July 28th isn't only a celebration of Peru's independence, history, culture and people. It is also a celebration of the Peruvians who left their country and made a life for themselves in the United States.

with my father, Hugo Sr.

 These Peruvian immigrants are hard workers, business owners and responsible members of the community who are fueling the economy and diversity of the U.S.

As a second generation Peruvian-American, I am happy to see many of my contemporaries taking an interest in our family roots....we have much to be proud of! It is important for us (and our children) to learn and maintain our customs and language.

Somos Peru! Te Amo Peru! Que Viva El Peru!!

Panel Discussion: Illegals/Illegal Immigrant

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) held a panel discussion on the use/misuse of the term illegals/illegal immigrant at the Washington, DC headquarters of the GMMB on Friday, July 19th.

Interim Region 3 Director Ken Molestina organized the event. The panelists included USA Today's David Callaway, EFE's Maria Pena and yours truly.

There has been much debate since the Associated Press (AP) changed its stylebook and dropped the illegal and illegal immigrant in describing people in the United States who do not have the proper documentation.

Many media companies followed the AP's lead; others have not.

NAHJ for years have urged media companies to stop using the term that is factually inaccurate, demeaning and unfair.

Here's a report from Telemundo's local Washington, DC affiliate TV station:
http://www.holaciudad.com/polemica-uso-palabrailegal-n335274

with NAHJ ED Anna Lopez Buck and Region 3 Director Ken Molestina

Forging The Future, NAHJ Region 4 Conference

Networking reception

Congratulations to the NAHJ South Florida chapter for producing the wonderful Region 4 conference, Forging the Future. The event drew nearly 250 registrants! The highest number of attendees for any regional conference to date.

Forging the Future reminded me of my late abuelita. Like many of our grandmothers she was a master chef en la cocina. One of her specialties was what she called “sopa de familia.” The secret recipe wasn’t the ingredients, but the people who contributed to the cooking. My sister and I would be responsible for chopping carrots and potatoes. My mother and aunts would add the chicken or meat, onions and of course spices. Mi abuelita would never make soup unless everyone in the house did their part. You know, it always tasted better when we worked at it together.

On-site registration

The South Florida conference is a soup of success the local chapter working with the national leadership and staff. The partnership with the Society of Professional Journalists, South Florida chapter. The panelists, sponsors and of course the many members and guests who participated.

Sessions underway

I was happy to receive all of the great feedback from grateful members who shared how productive the conference was for their careers. A special thank you to our partners from the Society of Professional Journalists, South Florida chapter and sponsors General Motors, Toyota, Sprint, WSVN and The Miami Herald.

NAHJ - Yes, We Are!!


CNN's Ramon Escobar and NBC Latino's Chris Pena provide career advice

A "Hot Latin Night" In Cool San Francisco

     Congratulations to the NAHJ Bay Area chapter for the wonderful and successful fundraiser Hot Latin Nights! The proceeds will go towards valuable scholarships, professional training and the production of future events.



Mission District
 

I was happy and proud to participate in the June event at the El Techo de Lolinda restaurant in the historic Mission District. The networking event included tequila, pisco and rum tastings. Bay Area chapter member Victoria Sanchez de Alba was the lucky winner of two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world courtesy of NAHJ national sponsor United Airlines.


My trip to San Francisco included meetings with potential sponsors Wells Fargo and LinkedIn. Both companies are very impressed with the work NAHJ does for the advancement of journalists/journalism and through them the booming Latino community. NAHJ will be developing programs with the companies that will benefit our members.



Felicidades once again to chapter president Vicki Adame and the Bay Area chapter team! On behalf of the NAHJ national board and staff, thank you all for your dedication to our association.

Hugo







with Claudia Cruz

 





On The Record With Attorney General Eric Holder

 Attorney General Eric Holder’s off-the-record invitation to discuss guidelines for handling investigations of leaks involving journalists caused a divide between news media.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), swimming against the tide, was the only independent minority journalism organization to accept Monday’s meeting.

 

NAHJ must engage in any conversation that affects journalists. Simply put, how can we help shape policy if we are not at the table? Once at his office we asked and to his credit, Mr. Holder accepted the meeting be on-the-record. NAHJ has been critical of the DOJ secretly obtaining the Associated Press reporter and editor phone records.

Here's the message I sent members following the meeting with the Attorney General:

http://www.nahj12.com/nahj-news/holder-on-the-record-with-nahj/

La NAHJ al fiscal general Eric Holder: Los periodistas no deben ser tildados como criminales por realizar su constitucionalmente protegido servicio a la comunidad:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LorYdTSceSIdyQa_g_mQdJUKRr99Cm_nf6VtUd39-8g/edit?usp=sharing

Here's the Op-Ed I wrote for Fox News Latino:

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/06/04/on-record-with-attorney-general-eric-holder/

Here are other articles written about the meeting:

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/how-holder-would-have-done-things-differently

When Journalists Can’t Do Their Job, Democracy Is at Risk

This week the Associated Press (AP) revealed that the Justice Department secretly obtained telephone records of their reporters and editors.

This apparent intrusion of the First Amendment puts into question the government's use of authority under the guise of protecting the integrity of an investigation.

It’s not enough for the government to say it acted in the best interest of the public when the public’s interests were violated by its actions.

Here's a link to an OpEd I wrote for FOX News Latino: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/05/14/hugo-balta-when-journalists-cant-do-their-job-democracy-is-at-risk/#ixzz2TIfGGbEP

NAHJ questions the motives by the Justice :
http://www.nahj12.com/?p=2619&preview=true

(Haz Click Aqui Para Español):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10P0FGiCJjqj_PEFlqtFvNla3Ebqgm9V-DGR7Q7HnL7U/edit?
usp=sharing

Mi entrevista con CNN En Español como president de la @NAHJ
http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2013/05/14/la-grabacion-de-llamadas-de-ap-fue-por-seguridad-nacional-dice-ee-uu/

Monitoring Journalists: A threat to democracy: http://www.voxxi.com/monitoring-journalists-threat-to-democracy/

The Dallas/Fort Worth chapter (Hispanic Communicators DFW) hosted its annual scholarship banquet benefiting worthy journalism and communication students.

 


 President Saul Garza and his team successfully raised $10,000 for six impressive students.

  

WFAA Ch. 8 news anchor Gloria Campos was the mistress of ceremonies. Senior correspondent Ray Suarez of PBS NewsHour was the keynote speaker. Gloria and Ray are both members of the NAHJ Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olmar Vanegas and Cassandra Rodriguez were among the fortunate scholarship recipients.

  

Region 5 director Bonnie Gonzalez  and vice president of online and local chapter member,Rebecca Aguilar were also in attendance. Rebecca was on the planning committee for the banquet.

  

Here is a video montage of the event produced by Rebecca: http://animoto.com/play/okzpVa7NYEvdFbedRs4uVA