Are you seeing journalists wearing “periodista” t-shirts on your social media feed? It’s part of a campaign by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) to draw attention to the need for more Latinos in America’s newsrooms.
The campaign is tied to NAHJ’s 40th Anniversary Conference and Expo, July 9-13 in Los Angeles, and comes at a pivotal time for journalism and democracy. Latinos represent close to 15% of eligible voters in the 2024 elections, a diverse electorate that is being courted by both parties, and disproportionately targeted by misinformation.
Beyond politics, Latinos represent 19% of the US population and contribute more than $3 trillion a year to the economy. Yet Latinos are underrepresented in newsrooms, especially at the senior management level. In the past year, layoffs at the LA Times, Telemundo and Univision reversed recent gains. Newsrooms are missing the opportunity to connect with growing Latino audiences, and to tell stories that go untold without culturally competent reporters.
The campaign gives Latino journalists the opportunity to show their pride in their profession, and to say why being a “periodista” is important to them. The t-shirts, designed by queer Latina-owned lifestyle brand JZD, say “periodista” on the front and #MoreLatinosInNews” on the back – the hashtag for both the campaign and NAHJ’s mission.
Since its founding in 1984, NAHJ has been fighting for more Latinos in newsrooms and advocating for fair and accurate coverage of Hispanic communities. It provides training, networking opportunities, and financial support – the organization has awarded over $2 million in student scholarships, aimed at empowering the next generation of Latino journalists.
A portion of the proceeds from the “periodista” t-shirts sales will go to support NAHJ’s Educational Programs, including the Ruben Salazar Scholarship Fund, named for the pioneering Mexican-American journalist killed during a 1970 Chicano protest against the Vietnam War.
“As we celebrate four decades of empowering Latino journalists, it’s important to spotlight how much remains to be done,” said NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillen-Diaz. “By wearing these ‘periodista’ t-shirts, our members and supporters can highlight the importance of diverse newsrooms and signal their commitment to the mission of #MoreLatinosInNews.”
We extend our gratitude to Tanja Babich and the NAHJ Chicago chapter for uniting across network borders to bring this idea forward. This initiative will play a key role in advancing our mission and demonstrates our membership’s dedication to our message of #MoreLatinosInNews.
Members wearing the t-shirt at the conference, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, will be invited to join a group photo to convey the breadth of the #MoreLatinosInNews movement. Get your “periodista” t-shirt and be part of the movement.