Pompousness Trumps Journalism

     A regrettable incident at the Excellence In Journalism 2013 (EIJ13) national conference deservedly garnered much criticism. Panel guests for the Latino Vote session were put in an uncomfortable situation. The how and why isn't as black and white as many would like to make it...each side championing the argument that best suits their point of view.

     What is certain is the end result which has been to the best of my knowledge fairly and accurately reported. What is also certain is the perception of NAHJ organizers cowering to pressure and making poor decisions. While perceptions might not be actual truths - they are truths to those who perceive them. As president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) I have taken full responsibility for the incident (NAHJ President Response To Concerns Raised Over Latino Vote Session at EIJ13). It is a critical lesson that will assist us moving forward.

     There's another lesson still to be discussed: fairness and accuracy in reporting. Our product are the stories we tell. Whether we like it or not...what we put out there people take as truth. Journalists are authority figures with great power and influence. We must responsibly and jealously protect our credibility and integrity...without it, we lose the trust of the community we serve. So, when someone like Ruben Navarrette comes along assaulting NAHJ for his own benefit - we can't just ignore him or worse give him a pass for poor practices because "that's just the way he's always been".

     We are all students of our craft. Here are some of the articles written about the session at EIJ13. All get to the heart of the issue and are fair in their constructive criticism, except for Navarrette. His is the last article.

     -Did CA Assembly Speaker Perez opt for “political bullying” at big Latino convention?

     -NAHJ President Response to Concerns Raised Over Latino Vote Session at EIJ13

     -NAHJ: "Mistakes Were Made" in Organizing Political Panel

     -Opinion: NAHJ political snafu proves Latinos need to start working together

     -Politics trumps journalism

     It took Navarrette about 6 paragraphs and 216 words of generalizations, insults and other rants before he finally got to the heart of the story.

     Here's how he promoted his story:
On FB:
"Here's the money: NAHJ President Hugo Balta, a producer for ESPN, confirmed that someone in the hierarchy was contacted by Perez, but he would not say who it was. He claimed he didn’t know. When I pressed him, Balta shouted: 'You’re harassing me! I’m hanging up now!' He did, but eventually called me back and admitted, 'We made mistakes."

On Twitter: "NAHJ stands for 'Not Actual Honest Journalists."

And when I started criticizing his questionable practices...
On FB:  "If Hugo was as good at protecting the reputation of Latino journalists, and the concept of journalistic integrity, as he is covering his own ass, there would have been no fiasco -- and no offending column."

      The sophomoric personal attacks became worse once I called him out on his bombastic approach. This isn't a concerned journalist or even wounded NAHJ member (on and off again as Navarrette describes). This is a self absorbed, irresponsible pompous opportunist who cut corners in his storytelling in order to increase readership.

      He failed to mention that I took his call and asked that I have time to gather information in order to provide him with a proper response. He didn't write that he continued to push for answers despite the fact that I told him I was driving (in an unfamiliar city) trying to follow GPS instructions. His response to that was "can't you talk and drive?" He was more concerned about SFGate coming out with the story before him than getting accurate information.

     He didn't think it was important to say that even though I was still managing through a national conference; I tried to connect with him several times that day. He didn't care to mention that as promised, I called him back the next day - once I concluded NAHJ business in Anaheim (less than 24 hours since his call). We spent approximately 30 minutes on the phone.

    Navarrette didn't even provide the official response I gave on the matter.

     Now, why do you think that is? It's fair. It's accurate. No, he was late on a story and he had to find an edge to get people all riled up. And so, he showed his true colors - a bully.

     As NAHJ president, people taking swings at me is par for the course...I'm ok with that. What's not ok is for Ruben Navarrette to use NAHJ's great reputation for his own benefit. An association that tirelessly works for its members and the community they serve.

     I've called and sent Navarrette several messages via social media since he posted his story. He isn't extending me the same professional courtesy I did to him. And I know why...

     Deep down inside bullies are cowards who's bark is often bigger than their bite. The difference between people like Navarrete is that while those antagonists talk the talk...people like the fine staff and volunteers at NAHJ (and its partners) who produced an outstanding national conference walk the talk.

     School's out and I'm standing outside, waiting for Navarrette to come out..to call me - but I know he won't.

Hugo Balta
NAHJ President
  

Speaking Spanish In The USA Is A Necessity

The U.S. Census Bureau released last week an online map pinpointing the vast host of languages (other than English) spoken in homes across the country.

According to the report, that’s approximately 38 million people que hablan español. That makes the U.S. the fifth largest Spanish-speaking country on the planet, behind Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and Argentina.

In a strategy to grow their business, corporate America made it possible for the U.S. to become a bilingual nation.

Here's an article I wrote about how in the USA - se habla Español!
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/08/12/speaking-spanish-in-usa-is-necessity/

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