Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The number of Hispanic journalists working at U.S.dailies went from 1,889 to 1,650, a 0.47 percent decrease (4.54 to 4.07 percent), according to the most recent annual census reported by the American Society of Newspapers Editors (ASNE).
The total loss of minority newsroom positions is at 5.7 percent, the organization stated.
In response to the annual census, Michele Salcedo, NAHJ president released the following statement today.
“The results of ASNE’s annual newsroom census are, once again, disappointing but not surprising. Until newspaper editors at the highest level and publishers commit to developing diverse newsrooms, the numbers will continue to decline. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists calls on newsroom leaders to adopt a hiring policy that requires at least one candidate of color among the top three candidates under consideration to fill newsroom openings.
We encourage newsroom leaders to make the commitment to diversity as a sound business decision that serves the rapidly changing demographics of their readership and advertising audience. As always, NAHJ stands ready to assist editors and their news organizations in developing news staff that reflects the communities they cover.”
Founded in 1984, NAHJ’s mission is to increase the percentage of Latinos working in our nation’s newsrooms and to improve news coverage of the Latino community. NAHJ is the nation’s largest professional organization for Latino journalists with more than 1,400 members working in English and Spanish-language print, photo, broadcast and online media. NAHJ is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.