Press Release

NAHJ Releases Survey of News Professional in Spanish-Language Media

Media Contact:

Joseph Torres

(202) 662-7143

WASHINGTON, D.C. - News professional working at Spanish-language media companies in the United States plan to have long careers in their profession and are motivated to ensure that the informational needs of the Latino community are met, according to a survey released today by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

NAHJ conducted an on-line survey of close to 400 Spanish-language media journalists and newsroom managers in May and June of 2004. This is the first survey NAHJ has conducted of the nation's Spanish-language news media professionals. NAHJ released today the preliminary results of the study. A complete report will be published following the UNITY convention.

Dr. Federico Subervi, a media consultant and scholar, conducted the survey with assistance from Dr. Félix F. Gutiérrez, of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California, and Dr. Diana I. Ríos, associate professor, Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut.

Here are some of the survey major findings:

• Motivation: Journalists and managers working in the Spanish-language news media have a strong desire to educate and inform the community.
• Ownership: Almost three out of four journalists and half of the managers work for media that are not owned by U.S. Latinos. The figures for TV are higher than for newspapers.
• Newsroom Size: About 67% of all respondents work in newsrooms with less than 10 journalists; 85% work with 5 or fewer managers.
• Training: More than 71% of journalists say their companies have no training programs while 79% percent say they have not received any job training.
• Retention: More than 60% of the journalists said having access to or opportunities for professional training would increase the probabilities they would continue working in Spanish-language.
• Job satisfaction: Most of the respondents say their job experience is positive in general, but there are some problem areas. These include lack of satisfaction with promotions, advancement and pay raises. About two in five felt the same about salary and overtime pay, while a third of the managers were dissatisfied with retirement and health benefits, pay raises and overtime pay.
• Long Haul: The majority of Latino news media professionals envision working for Latino-oriented media one and five years from now.
• Approximately 25% of Latino news media professionals do not have health-medical benefits or insurance. More than 70% of full-time employees with contracts depend on their spouse's insurance.
• Country/region of origin: More than 92% of the journalists and 87% of the managers were born outside of the U.S. A third are from Mexico.
• Status: 56% are U.S. citizens, 24% are permanent residents, and 14% have work permits.
• Education: 85% attended two or more years of college; 19% have advanced degrees.
• Income: Pay tends to be higher among those born in the U.S. or who are U.S. citizens, as well as for those who have contracts and work in a TV newsroom where news is produced daily.

"Clearly this study shows that Spanish-language journalists and managers are dedicated to ensuring that the Latino community is informed about issues affecting them and their community," said NAHJ President Juan Gonzalez. "But the study also shows that media companies and journalism programs must invest more into the professional development of Spanish-language media professionals."