Latino media representation in newsrooms is subject of Dec. 1 discussion

The National Press Club's Communicators Team is planning a virtual conversation at noon Thursday, Dec. 1, with Latino reporters and editors to explore ways to improve representation in today’s newsrooms.

This is a members-only event. Members must be logged into their account on press.org to register.    

Latino underrepresentation in the American media and entertainment industries has barely improved over the last decade, according to a new Government Accountability Office report, presented last month at the Club by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.

Latino journalists represent only 12% of employees in media organizations, despite making up nearly 19% of the U.S. population.

Hispanic representation in the media workforce has grown at a slower pace (only 1%) than in non-media industries, which grew from 15% to 18%. Hispanic media workers are also less likely to hold management or leadership positions. According to the report, 7% of media workers are first and mid-level managers, only 3% represent senior and executive management. 

The panelists plan to discuss why diversity programs have failed, what barriers continue to keep journalists from entering or advancing in their careers, GAO’s recommendations, and how journalists can help push for change in their own organizations.

Panelists include: 

• Michele Salcedo, NPC journalist member and former editor, Axios Latino
• Felix Contreras, co-creator and host, NPR Music’s Alt.Latino
• Silvia Foster-Frau, multiculturalism reporter for The Washington Post and vice president of the D.C. chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists

The conversation is expected to be moderated by NPC Communicators Team member Fernanda Durand, public affairs director at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.