November 6, 2008
NAHJ Condemns the Murder of Juarez Crime Reporter

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists condemns the killing of crime reporter Armando Rodríguez of the Mexican newspaper El Diario de Juárez outside his home Thursday morning, and calls on society and authorities to stand strong against the violence that seeks to silence a free press. Since 2000, 24 Mexican journalists have been killed.

October 27, 2008
Past NAHJ Leader Elected President of UNITY

Rafael Olmeda, immediate past president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a senior writer at the SunSentinel in Florida, has been elected president of UNITY: Journalists of Color Inc. Olmeda was chosen by UNITY's board of directors at its fall board meeting. His term begins January 1, 2009.

October 24, 2008
Career Boosters: 50 Internship Opportunities
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has compiled a list of 50 top journalism internships with looming application deadlines. Students, move fast.

September 25, 2008
NAHJ Mourns the Loss of Nancy Hicks Maynard
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists joins the journalism world in mourning the loss of Nancy Hicks Maynard. She was a leader on her own, being a woman of color in newsrooms when that was unheard of. And later she devoted her life to helping diversify the media through the Maynard Institute and other work. We are honored some of us got to know her and work with her, and we will strive to continue her mission.

September 25, 2008
NAHJ's 2008 Scholarship Recipients
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has awarded $91,000 in new scholarships this fall to 35 students pursuing a career in journalism. NAHJ has now given out a total of more than $1.5 million in financial aid to more than 550 aspiring journalists since the scholarship fund began operating in 1987.

September 17, 2008
If You Missed It: Scenes From 08 Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala

The 23rd Annual Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala took place in Washington D.C. on September 12, helping to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month while honoring the best of Latino journalism and excellence in coverage of the Latino community.

August 20, 2008
NAHJ Urges Newsroom Leaders to Value Latino Journalists
In the midst of large cuts in newsroom staffs, NAHJ President O. Ricardo Pimentel reminds news industry leaders that keeping Latinos in the journalism ranks is essential to covering the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. He urges them to preserve bilingual and bicultural journalists as a way to increase readership, viewership, their connection to the community, and improve the overall quality of news coverage.

August 20, 2008
NAHJ Denounces Arrests of Working Press
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists calls on police and local and federal officials to respect the First Amendment right to free speech and free press of journalists doing their job, especially as it relates to coverage of recent political conventions and the surrounding public protests.

August 14, 2008
If You Missed It: Scenes From UNITY '08

The UNITY '08 convention drew 7,000 journalists of color to discuss the changing state of the news industry and to celebrate diversity. Immigration and coverage of Latinos discussed, Obama closed the convention.

August 8, 2008
NAHJ Announces the 2008 Winners of the
ñ and Journalism Awards


The awards salute leadership, outstanding coverage of Latinos, immigration, stories of survivors, child brides and much more.

July 31, 2008
Ricardo Pimentel New NAHJ President
Thank you to all of our members who voted in this year’s election! The NAHJ National Officers for the next two years were announced during the Hall of Fame Gala at UNITY ’08 in Chicago.

Two changes to the bylaws were also overwhelmingly approved:

• New Article XVI. Approved by 89 percent of voters, this article will be added to the NAHJ bylaws to guide the establishment, operation and governance of the organization’s professional and student chapters.

• ARTICLE VI and VII amendments. Approved by 94 percent of voters, this amendment to the bylaws governs the timing and procedure for the elections of the regional directors to the NAHJ board of directors.

July 21, 2008
Senator Barack Obama to Speak at UNITY '08
Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama will appear in front of thousands of journalists next week at the UNITY: Journalists of Color quadrennial convention in Chicago.

July 18, 2008
Noche de Triunfos Journalism Awards Gala to Take Place in Washington, DC

Mistress of Ceremonies Michelle Caruso-Cabrera of CNBC and Honorary Gala Chair Ray Suarez of the NewsHour will host NAHJ's annual fall journalism awards celebration in the nation's capital on September 12.

July 7, 2008
NAHJ Members: Vote Now
Voting is now open in the 2008 NAHJ Electronic Election for National Officers.

July 3, 2008
Univision's Teresa Rodriguez to Host NAHJ Hall of Fame Gala at UNITY '08 Convention

NAHJ is proud to announce that fitness pioneer Augie Nieto will be honored with the 2008 President’s Award during the 2008 Hall of Fame Gala, which will be hosted by Univision anchor Teresa Rodríguez.

NAHJ to Defray UNITY '08 Costs for Some Members Eager to Attend
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists will offer financial assistance in the form of convention registration and/or air transportation to a limited group of NAHJ members to attend the UNITY ’08 Convention in Chicago, July 23-27, 2008. All applications will be considered on the basis of financial need, with a priority given to journalists laid off during the past 14 months and to members who work in Spanish-language media.

June 13, 2008
NAHJ Mourns the Passing of Tim Russert
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists mourns the passing of Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and moderator of “Meet the Press.” Russert died Friday after collapsing at the bureau. He was 58.

June 5, 2008
UNITY: Obama, McCain invited, Thousands of Journalists, Hundreds of Recruiters, Multimedia Training Galore
UNITY and CNN plan to broadcast LIVE IN PRIMETIME a historic discussion with the presumptive presidential nominees Senators Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and John McCain (R-Arizona) at the UNITY ‘08 Convention on July 24. Be in the audience for this historic evening when UNITY is seen across the country on prime time, and come hear where the future leader of this country stands on issues facing an increasingly diverse America that rarely discussed on the campaign trail.

May 28, 2008
NAHJ to Induct Founders, 19th Century Pioneer into Hall of Fame
Two of today’s most respected media diversity champions – NAHJ founders Juan Gonzalez and Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez – and 19th century journalism pioneer Francisco Ramirez will be inducted into the NAHJ Hall of Fame during this summer’s UNITY ‘08 convention - the nation’s industry’s largest gathering of journalists. The NAHJ Hall of Fame Gala is set for Friday, July 25 in Chicago.

Juan Gonzalez

Francisco P. Ramirez

Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez

May 13, 2008
UNITY Selects Team to Help Students, More Mentors Needed
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. will feature a converged media training project for college students. More than 70 media professionals have been selected to run the intensive one-week project at the UNITY ’08 Convention in Chicago, July 23-27, 2008. There may be opportunities for other professionals who would like to volunteer time on the UNITY project but cannot work the entire week. The expectation for the “Day Mentors” will be a one-day commitment, but mentors should be fully aware that there will be no compensation for their time.

Senate Votes to Invalidate FCC Rules That Allow More Media Consolidation
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday night to invalidate the FCC’s decision to relax the prohibition against newspaper-broadcast cross ownership. In a May 2 letter, NAHJ had urged lawmakers to stand up for diverse and independent news outlets and pass the resolution of disapproval introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) aimed at reversing the FCC’s decision. NAHJ and supporters for the Stop Big Media Movement are concerned that the FCC’s new rules approved last Dec. 18, which cleared the way for more media consolidation, hurt minority media ownership and help fuel job cuts that affect the quality of journalism and local news coverage. Now a similar measure goes to the House of Representatives.

NAHJ Concerned About Potential Cutbacks at FIU School of Journalism
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dismayed that Florida Intenational University is considering major cutbacks to it's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which is regarded as one of the top schools of journalism in the country, graduating more Hispanic journalists and PR/advertising majors than any other school.

NAHJ Urging Senate to Stand Up for Diverse, Independent News Outlets
In a letter to the U.S. Senate, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists is urging lawmakers to stand up for diverse and independent news outlets and to pass the resolution of disapproval introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) in response to the FCC’s decision to relax media ownership rules. The senator, whose effort to reverse the FCC decision has bipartisan support, has said more analysis is needed before the rules change. NAHJ and supporters of the Stop Big Media Movement agree and worry about how the FCC decision impacts minority media ownership. NAHJ also maintains that consolidation has hurt journalism as companies resort to layoffs in an effort to meet the bottom-line expectations of Wall Street.

April 24, 2008
Fired FOX4 reporter Rebecca Aguilar Fights Back, Files EEOC Complaint
Fired KDFW-TV FOX4 reporter Rebecca Aguilar filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Wednesday, charging the real reason behind her dismissal was because she challenged newsroom management. Aguilar was suspended on Oct. 16, just 12 days after receiving NAHJ’s 2007 Broadcast Journalist of the Year Award. Her suspension came the day after airing a story that drew the ire of many viewers, some of whom identified themselves as gun owners and who sympathized with the man she interviewed who shot and killed two alleged burglars.

April 22, 2008
Rubén Salazar Stamp Unveiled, Mexican American Honored with Other Great Journalists
The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a stamp to honor trailblazing Mexican American journalist Rubén Salazar Tuesday, and he was in excellent company. Salazar, war correspondents Martha Gellhorn, John Hersey, and George Polk and foreign correspondent Eric Sevareid all had varied backgrounds but shared one thing in common: they reported on some of the most important stories of the 20th century – often at great personal sacrifice. “To each of these great Americans, the nation says thank you,’’ said Postmaster General John “Jack” E. Potter during the unveiling ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Senate Committee Votes Against New FCC Rules That Further Consolidate Media Ownership
The Federal Communications Commission's new ruling to allow one company to own a broadcast station and the major daily newspaper in the same market could be nullified, now that the Senate Commerce Committee has passed a "resolution of disapproval." The Senate Committee’s vote, which serves as a "legislative veto,” was met with approval by NAHJ and other supporters of the Stop Big Media Movement. NAHJ asked the FCC to postpone its vote on ownership until the crisis in minority ownership was addressed. "The FCC did not heed the overwhelming public opposition to its decision. The Senate appears to be listening," said Joseph Torres, government relations manager of Free Press and NAHJ’s former deputy director.

April 9, 2008
NBC/NAHJ Seek Two Students for NY Fellowship
NBC Universal and The National Association of Hispanic Journalists are offering two students the opportunity to become NBC fellows in New York.

April 7, 2008
Multimedia Training Focus of Conference in NY
This one-day workshop set for May 3rd will introduce journalists to multimedia options available for telling stories. Participants will learn how to plan and produce work that integrates copy, audio, video and photographs into compelling multimedia stories.

March 30, 2008
FCC Decision Opposed by NAHJ, Other Groups Could be Reversed
The Senate Commerce Committee will vote on Wednesday, April 2 on legislation that would reverse the FCC's decision to lift the federal ban against joint ownership of a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in the same market. NAHJ called on Congress to reverse the decision, which it believes hurts diversity and localism, and reiterates its request for the FCC to address the crisis in minority broadcast ownership.

NAHJ Accepting Nominations for 2008 Hall of Fame
NAHJ is now accepting nominations for the next inductee of the association's Hall of Fame. The winner will be inducted during the Hall of Fame Gala at the UNITY '08 Convention in Chicago on Friday, July 25, 2008.

March 17, 2008
Texas Regional Draws Attendees from Faraway Places
More than 130 attended the daylong NAHJ Region 5 Conference on Saturday, March 1, at Texas State University in San Marcos. NAHJ Region 5 includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, but some attendees came from far away as Phoenix, Miami , Washington, D.C., Columbia, Miss. and Carbondale, Ill. The conference began Friday, Feb. 29, with a town hall meeting on the upcoming elections, “What can Brown do for you?.”

March 13, 2008
NAHJ Suspends Parity Project Partnership with San Jose Mercury News
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ (NAHJ) is suspending its partnership with the San Jose Mercury News in the Parity Project.

2008 Elections, Multimedia Training Focus of Conference in Minn.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists will have a Midwestern regional on April 5 in Minneapolis. It will feature a job fair, convergence training and a workshop titled "When Disasters Strike" in response to the I-35W bridge collapse. This regional will have a session about the 2008 elections and Latinos.

Get Training and Cover the Industry’s Largest Gathering of Journalists, UNITY ‘08
Work in a “converged” newsroom at the UNITY ’08 Convention and meet hundreds of professional newspaper, radio, TV and online journalists. This experience can be yours if you apply for, and are accepted into, the UNITY ’08 Student Projects, which run from July 20-27 in Chicago. The UNITY ’08 convention will be the largest gathering of journalists in the country and a great opportunity to learn newsroom skills from veterans. The UNITY web publication will become the main medium for students’ content and a prime source of news and information about this historic gathering for convention participants and online users across the country.

Earn Money for College, Apply for an NAHJ Scholarship!
Since the inception of the Rubén Salazar Scholarship Fund and Educational Programs in 1986, NAHJ has awarded more than $1.4 million to 525 students. With these scholarships, NAHJ encourages and assists Latino students pursuing a career in journalism. Hispanics remain woefully underrepresented in mainstream U.S. newsrooms and with these scholarships, NAHJ wishes to help more qualified Hispanic students move from the classroom to the newsroom. Apply today! The awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

February 22, 2008
Formerly Jailed Cuban Journalist to Keynote NAHJ Banquet
Cuban journalist Manuel Vázquez Portal, one of 23 journalists jailed in Cuba during a crackdown on press freedom five years ago, will deliver the keynote speech at the 19th Annual NAHJ Scholarship Banquet in New York on March 13. ABC's John Quiñones and CNN's Soledad O’Brien also headline the premiere event to benefit the Rubén Salazar Scholarship Fund.

February 15, 2008
NAHJ/NAHP Ford Oval Internships Available in Spanish-Language Media
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the National Association of Hispanic Publications Foundation (NAHP) are teaming up once again to support Latino journalism students interested in interning with a Spanish-language newspaper or a Hispanic publication in English. The internship program, sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund, will give four students the opportunity to spend 12 weeks in the nation’s capital, covering local Latino communities and national Hispanic issues. They will also participate in a week-long intensive journalism training at the UNITY ’08 Convention in Chicago, July 23-27.

January 7, 2008
2008 Elections, Multimedia Training Focus of Conference in Texas
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists will host a regional conference in Texas that will kick off Friday, Feb. 29 with a Town Hall meeting, titled: What Can Brown Do For You? The discussion will focus on the role of Latinos in this year’s presidential election. The regional set for Feb. 29-March 1, 2008 will feature multimedia sessions and Spanish-Language media workshops.

CNN Digital Media Workshop Open to NAHJ Members
CNN will offer a two-day Digital Media Workshop at CNN headquarters in Atlanta on April 24-25. Professional and freelance journalists who have worked in broadcast, print, or digital media for a minimum of 5 years should apply. Under this program, you will take your multimedia skills to a new level, learn how to shape a story under the guidance of a CNN "coach" and tour the CNN.com Newsroom. Take advantage of this great opportunity open only to members of NAHJ and our sister organizations. If you are not a member or your membership has lapsed, join or renew today!

New Graduate Scholarship at CUNY for NAHJ Members
NAHJ has partnered with The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism to create a scholarship worth $7,500. The scholarship is available to an NAHJ member with an interest in increasing diversity in the journalism profession.

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