U.S. media companies are turning their attention south.

SIN FRONTERAS:

The Belo Corporation took an affirmative step to acquaint Mexican and U.S. Latino editors, reporters and media executives -- and their missions -- with one another, hosting a conference of some 40 journalists in the Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta Aug. 4-6.

At the event, "Journalism Sin Fronteras," participants heard experts from both sides of the border and then engaged in discussions on issues of common concern, ranging from press freedoms to how media in each country covers happenings in the other. The pioneering sessions were coordinated by Mike Zamba, Belo's international development director.
Belo owns The Dallas Morning News and has newspaper, television, cable and interactive media interests in several key U.S. Hispanic regions. It publishes English-language dailies in Mexico City, Monterrey and four Mexican resort cities.

KNIGHT GRANT:

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announces a $3.3 million, four-year initiative to create the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas at Austin to improve professional training for Latin American journalists and press freedom throughout the Americas.

IN MOTION:

Zita Arocha, former executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, becomes senior lecturer and associate director of the Center for Communication Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso starting next month. A former daily journalist, she will also serve as an associate director of the university’s Texas Western Press.

UTEP is also developing projects uniting Mexican and U.S. border journalists.

Univisión Communications names Alina Falcón senior vice president and operating manager of the company’s upstart TeleFutura network. She had served as Univisión’s senior vice president and director of its network news division.