From the Editor:
Hispanic Tech and Telecommunications Partnerships (HTTP) along with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Telecom and Internet Council, LGTBT Tech, Asian Pacific American Advocates, Asian American Journalists Association, Hispanic Federation, LaVozColorado Publisher, Pauline Rivera, and more, convened in Washington D.C. the past few days in an effort to relay the value of community/local journalism. Same advocacy groups met with some members of Congress to speak about the current pending merger/consolidation of local stations/outlets that would allow a single corporation (Nexstar acquisition of Tegna) in a acquisition of over 265 TV stations, reaching over 80 percent of U.S. households. The current ownership cap is now at 39 percent. This merger is under review and if approved would diminish local/community journalism, reduce viewpoint diversity, will be contrary to public interest and will affect community information/reach to Latinos and all ethnic communities. As it stands, this merger would result in an overall generic reach to all audiences, excluding diversity in journalism.
The current Latino population at 68 million in the U.S. indicates a definite need for community bilingual formats in media to reach that population growth and diversity.
It is important to address the need for community newspapers, bilingual (ENG/SP) and other ethnic publications as they know their readership/audience where a general news under ‘one roof’ would eliminate the necessary and complete news and the diverse and language-friendly information outreach to those communities.
According to Pew Research, the Latino population in the U.S. is at 68 million, a near 20 percent of the U.S. population. As the Latino population grows, so does the need for information in more than one language. It is essential that publications continue delivering and addressing the growing need for information.
As an example, when the pandemic hit our world, the health of millions of people was affected. In just the United States there were over 103 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 1 million deaths in the U.S., the most of any country reported. Along with national information, local statistics and COVID-19 information was disbursed to guide the local population. The latest health updates were provided by media outlets to those who relied on and trusted their community publications/journalists. Information about where to get vaccinated, tested, and when to self-quarantine became a life-or-death issue for so many. This is when/where local journalism and trust is important.
The overall health of a world and our country specifically was at stake, and the local population needed this information disbursed in more than one language, from a trusting community outlet. Receiving this very valuable information from a community and local-based source was a life saver to so many.
It is essential for the existence of our local journalism and community publications/news outlets that this 39 percent ownership cap is implemented. An approval of a monopoly-type ownership is not aligned with public interest, diversity in news and is not for the good and betterment of the overall Latino community.
