2023 LDC–NAHJ U.S. Latinos in Journalism Report Pulls Back the Curtain on Underrepresentation Across U.S. Broadcast, Cable, Print and Digital Newsrooms

Created in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of Latino representation in the American English-language journalism industry. The report is intended to raise awareness of clear disparities in representation within an institution that plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and social narratives.

The LDC will present this report at the 2023 L’ATTITUDE Conference, which takes place at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach from September 27 – 30. L’ATTITUDE is the largest business event in the country focused on “The New Mainstream Economy,” helping executives and business leaders understand the U.S. Latino cohort driving its growth. Every year, the conference provides a national platform showcasing the economic leadership of U.S. Latinos in business, media, politics, science, and technology.

U.S. Latino Representation in Journalism Highlights:

• Despite comprising nearly 20% of the U.S. population, there are very few Latino executive producers at major broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, and syndicated networks.
• In cable news, there are very few Latino anchors in single anchor shows and no executive producers at the major network families of FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Across 22 major print newspapers, there are few Latino managing editors and executive editors, and zero Latino CEOs/presidents and publishers.
• Across 22 major digital news sites, there are zero Latino editors-in-chief and zero Latino executive editors.

The data in the report makes clear that, with some exceptions, the percentage of Latinos working at the highest level of the U.S. journalism industry does not match the national market parity of U.S. Latinos. The report also features data-driven case studies analyzing the benefits of equal Latino representation in U.S. news media, the detriments of a lack of Latino leadership in the industry, and the consequences of BIPOC groupings in achieving Latino representation.

“This first-of-its-kind report reveals the blind spot of resource allocators in this industry” said Ana Valdez, CEO and President, LDC. “The U.S. Latino cohort is where the growth is coming from but the lack of Latino journalists and, therefore, the lack of U.S. Latino news is shocking. Disparities in Latino representation vs. population are evident across all sectors examined, including Broadcast News, Cable News, Print Newspapers, and Digital News Sites.”

“From a business perspective”, said Sol Trujillo, chairman of the LDC, “this signifies an industry missing an opportunity for success and even recovery, as many news outlets around the country are currently suffering. In today’s economic landscape, neglecting a segment that represents between 20% and 30% of the potential audience in broadcast, cable, print, and digital news sites is an oversight by any business standard.”

“The U.S. Latino population is simply being underserved by the media,” said Yvette Cabrera, president of NAHJ’s board of directors. “Through the first edition of this report, we intend to spread awareness and catalyze change to ensure that the voices who deliver our news represent the everyday Americans who read, watch, and absorb it.”