NAHJ NYC Chapter Hosts First Event

NAHJ NYC Chapter board

The newly formed NAHJ NYC professional chapter hosted its first event on 10/9 at "La Pulperia" restaurant in midtown Manhattan.

With NYC Chapter VP Brenda Kessler

I was very pleased to be part of the kick-off event that gathered more than 50 people in celebration of the new chapter and our association. NAHJ founding fathers Frank Gomez and Juan Gonzalez were in attendance.

With Celia Mendoza

Frank Gomez

A special thanks to Region 2 Director Yvette Davila who was instrumental in organizing the new chapter. 

And of course un fuerte abrazo to NYC chapter president Geraldine Azocar and the entire chapter board for volunteering to lead. You make us all very proud!

With Region 2 Director Ivette Davila and Kirk Gimenez

Juan Gonzalez

Region 6 conference “Latin America: Coverage and Challenges”

CNN's Ramon Escobar leads panel on challenges of covering Latin America

Congratulations to the NAHJ Chicago chapter for hosting the Region 6 conference “Latin America: Coverage and Challenges.” The October 12th event was very well attended. The guests who I spoke with were pleased with the quality of the programs and panelists.

Region 6 Director Rosa Morales welcomes guests

A special thanks to Region 6 Director Rosa Morales,Chicago chapter president Carolina Cruz, the conference committee, volunteers and staff for their leadership and commitment in realizing the wonderful event. 

Chicago Chapter President Carolina Cruz

And of course un gran abrazo to all of the Ñ-Awards recipients for their outstanding work in their field and for our association.

Proud N-Awards recipients

Speaking with students at Medill, Northwestern University

With NAHJ Student Chapter at Northwestern

I was also given the opportunity to speak with students at Medill School of Journalism AT Northwestern University.The NAHJ student chapter were my gracious hosts. I was happy to lead a lecture on reaching the Latino community in the U.S.

Here is a link to the presentation on reaching Latinos in the US:
http://mediaportal.northwestern.edu/Mediasite/Play/2bbfcfb9fe1c45589a8358e8d6df9c661d 

The Case For NAHJ Leaving UNITY

It's not an easy decision.
It's emotional.
In the end, the NAHJ national board must make decisions that are in the best interest of our association, members and mission.

When you take the emotion out of the equation.
When you study the last 12 months, two years (including reasons why NABJ left UNITY).
When you stop pointing to national conferences (when NABJ was still part of UNITY).
All you're left with are empty promises, lack of vision, inability to evolve, indecisiveness, poor financial practices and a structure that will only setback NAHJ.

On behalf of the NAHJ representatives on the UNITY Journalists For Diversity board and NAHJ executive director Anna Lopez Buck, I began a conversation with NAHJ members about our association taking a new course at the Excellence In Journalism national conference this summer

Here is the case for NAHJ leaving UNITY:
http://www.nahj12.com/nahj-news/nahj-to-discuss-reasons-for-leaving-unity-with-nahj-membership/

Here are articles written about the subject:
-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/

-Coalition for Diversity in Journalism May Lose Hispanic Members
http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/coalition-diversity-journalism-may-lose-hispanic-members

-UNITY At A Crossroads
http://www.cjr.org/minority_reports/with_a_new_president_unitys_at.php?page=1

All NAHJ members are welcomed to a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday, October 16 where the 4 NAHJ representatives and our executive director will answer any questions you have. You should have received an email with the telephone number and time of the meeting. The meeting will be recorded and provided to all via the NAHJ website.

Lastly, I ask that all NAHJ members inform themselves. I've spoken to many of you who have strong opinions about remaining part of UNITY, but it's based on an idea of UNITY that truthfully no longer exists. And not just recently, but certainly after NABJ left. One cannot argue - "just go back and reach an agreement". The NAHJ representatives have tried that for a year now to no end. NABJ before us tried the same. We (NAHJ reps) have work to do for the good of our association. We cannot waste what time we have (because we are all volunteers) on an organization that has lost its way.

NAHJ will continue to work with UNITY once we leave, but it will be from a position to negotiate what we feel is in line with our association's mission and best interest. If and when UNITY does change the existing structure (governance, finance, mission); NAHJ will welcome a proposal to formally return.

Sincerely,

Hugo

NAHJ is outraged by Fox News Segment with Chris

Fox anchor, Chris Wallace summarized a recent survey by Los Angeles County estimating that undocumented parents would receive $650 million in government assistance this year. The report aired on Fox News’ “Special Report,” on September 19th according to Media Matters.
Instances like these are always disappointing.

There were many things wrong with this segment, beginning with the use of the derogatory term “illegal immigrant” and undocumented in the same breath as if these terms are interchangeable – of course they’re not.

Here's a full statement I authored on behalf of NAHJ:
http://www.nahj12.com/nahj-news/nahj-is-outraged-by-fox-news-segment-with-chris-wallace/

NAHJ joins NHMC in demanding that Fox News Channel apologize for its insensitive categorization of American children of undocumented parents as "Children of the Corn". And furthermore that it issue a memo to all staff urging them to refrain from anti-immigrant rhetoric. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-nogales/open-letter-to-roger-aile_b_4017113.html

Latino Journalists' Group Blasts Fox News Over Undocumented Immigrant Smear

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/09/25/latino-journalists-group-blasts-fox-news-over-u/196091

Other articles once NAHJ filed a statement: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/latino-journalists-fox-ne_n_3989618.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

http://politicalration.com/us/fox-news-infuriates-latino-journalists-with-insult-aimed-at-kids/

NAHJ al Presidente Obama: No Te Olvides De Los Latinos

President Obama spoke to the nation last week about what he feels is the best course of action to take in the Syrian crisis.

Like thousands of families, the loved ones of the more than 157,000 Latino active-duty military servicemen and women listened with great interest.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) urges Mr. Obama to be sensitive and sensible of the 38-million families who speak Spanish at home. It is in the best interest of the community that the President provide the same type of access to Spanish language media as he does with English language media.

NAHJ message in Spanish: http://www.nahj12.com/nahj-news/nahj-al-presidente-obama-no-te-olvides-de-los-latinos/

Here's an Op-Ed I wrote for Fox News Latino:
Señor Presidente: We Latinos Care About A Syria Strike Too
Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2013/09/10/senor-presidente-latinos-care-about-syria-strike-too/#ixzz2fJJVpg9M

Excellence In Journalism 2013

Newsmaker Luncheon sponsored by ESPN, ABC News and Fusion

The Excellence In Journalism (EIJ13) national conference was a great success. I am eternally grateful to the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for inviting NAHJ to join them at the event. It was a wonderful way to celebrate a year that has seen much growth for our association.

As I walked the conference, it was great to see so many NAHJ members networking, getting training, participating in sessions and celebrating. Members genuinely having a good time supporting each other. And that’s what has stayed with me the most. The national board, staff, volunteers have worked very hard to help lift NAHJ to greater heights.

There were also many “firsts” at this year’s convention, including the presentation of the first “Si Se Puede Excellence in Leadership” awards recognizing the hard work of NAHJ's local chapters.

Chapter presidents Vicki Adame, Pia Malbran and Brandon Benavides

We all have much to be proud of. NAHJ is helping members find jobs, producing high quality programming, championing causes for journalists and the community we serve and represent. The national board is nurturing relationships with local chapter leaders to better serve members year round.

with lifetime member Yvonne Latty and region 2 director Ivette D'avila
 

NAHJ is in good financial standing, strengthening partnerships with sponsors and making new ones in achieving mutual goals.

Yes, there is much to be proud of.

Hugo

M. Murdocco, I. D'Avila, B. Gonzalez, R. Aguilar

with ESPN VP/Human Resources Monica Diaz

with president's award recipient Joanna Hernandez

L.A. chapter president Cesar Arrendondo 

with Bay Area chapter president Vicki Adame

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