FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2020 
NAHJ participates in #GivingNewsday Campaign to Alleviate COVID-19’s Economic Impact on Local Independent Newsrooms
Washington, D.C. – In light of the devastating effects of COVID-19, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) reinforces its commitment to local journalism that helps save lives in their communities. In the wake of the pandemic, these local independent newsrooms have never been more imperiled economically. As a leader in the industry and representative of the Latinx community, NAHJ understands what local journalism can do to bring people together and project their voice. Therefore NAHJ pledged to help prepare these newsrooms through the #GivingNewsday campaign.
#GivingNewsday is a national campaign, culminating on May 5, intending to mobilize news consumers to donate, subscribe, or become a member of local, independent newsrooms. #GivingNewsday is an effort by Knight Foundation and the Poynter Institute in conjunction with #GivingTuesdayNow, a special emergency session of the annual fall day of unity and giving designed to draw support for organizations working on or affected by the crisis.
The NAHJ is proud to have a significant portion of its members committed to being that amplifier for their community through their outstanding work within local independent newsrooms.
Many news organizations do not cover Latinx communities and how they are affected explicitly by COVID-19. Without the tireless work of our journalists, underrepresented communities would not have access to accurate information to protect themselves and their loved ones against the virus. Local journalists allow us to feel connected even during social distancing through continuing to tell the stories of our neighbors that have been impacted the most by this crisis.
However, local newsrooms, like these, are struggling financially, and like everyone else, the pandemic has impacted the journalists’ health, finances, and routine. Even still, these resilient newsrooms and dedicated journalists are persevering and remain committed to their public service. It is the public’s urgent responsibility to acknowledge the work of these brave journalists and lend its support to the local independent news sources providing life-saving information.
On #GivingNewsday, NAHJ implores the neighbors of these communities to subscribe, give, and amplify as they can to support their local newsrooms. NAHJ is also continuing to work with large-scale funders to recognize our members’ efforts in local journalism as an essential community need during the pandemic and support it accordingly.
“Our mission is to fight for the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry,” said Alberto B. Mendoza, NAHJ Executive Director. “To facilitate the advancement of our members — and our community, we need to ensure the newsrooms that serve and lead at the local level continue succeeding.”
The essential role journalists must be playing during this pandemic is acknowledged and appreciated, which is why NAHJ is fully committed to participating in this campaign. We invite funders and the public to support the local independent newsrooms in their community by donating, subscribing, becoming a member, or spreading the word on social media.
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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in the news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has approximately 2,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on Twitter @NAHJ.
Media Contact:
BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com