NAHJ Stands with SAAHJ in Calling for More Inclusive Anchor Teams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 24, 2021

NAHJ Stands with SAAHJ in Calling for More Inclusive Anchor Teams

(Washington, D.C.) – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) stands with the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ) in calling on San Antonio TV news managers to create more inclusive anchor teams that reflect the majority-Latino demographics of San Antonio. After surveying KSAT-TV, KENS-TV, WOAI-TV and KABB-TV, SAAHJ found that Latinos represent just 25% of all anchors. In San Antonio, Latinos make up nearly 65% of the population, according to the U.S. Census. 

At KSAT, the highest-rated and most-viewed station in the city, just 21% of its anchors are Latino. At KENS, there are just three Latinos out of 16 anchors, and the station has no Latino news anchor on its most prominent weekday newscasts, which SAAHJ defines as newscasts between the hours of 5 to 7 a.m. or 5 to 10:30 p.m. The audit found that KABB has the highest percentage of Latino anchors — at 37.5 percent, or three out of eight people. Meanwhile, Latinos at WOAI comprise just one-third of the anchor staff.  

The audit also expanded its scope to include all anchors of color and found they comprise slightly over one-third of the anchors at the four stations. In San Antonio, people of color comprise 75% of the population.

Overall, although 25% of San Antonians are white, whites occupy anchor roles at more than two and a half times that rate.

The National Board of Directors offers SAAHJ full support in its efforts to open dialogues with the leadership of the city’s stations to improve the diversity of the anchor ranks. We cannot allow a pattern of white-dominated anchor teams in any market, let alone in a city that’s more than 50% Latino. News anchors hold prominent positions at news stations, and are responsible for informing viewers with news that is fair and accurate; they must be a true reflection of our communities.

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About the NAHJ

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists 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 over 3,300 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@TheVeritasWay.com