Elevating the Voices of Chicago’s Diverse Communities

“Chicago Tonight: Voices is building on a philosophy of fulfilling our journalism responsibility in producing coverage that’s fair and accurate, on a foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Balta says. “Latino Voicescontinues that mission, that focus. We are looking to shed light on issues that are most important to Latinos in Chicago, as well as…

I am NOT a “minority”

The first time I remember hearing the word “minority” in describing non-white people was at school. It was frequently used by professors to frame discussions around the country’s population, but it was also a negative narrative integrated into other aspects of society like employment, education, healthcare, and crime. “Minorities” were characterized as a group of…

Covering the 2020 Political Conventions

What do you think the role of journalism is in covering this election while there are multiple crises facing the country and potentially eclipsing the election in terms of the public’s attention? Balta: In these unprecedented times of crisis, the public is looking to local, state, and national leaders to help them understand and navigate…

Window To The World Communications, Inc. Names Hugo Balta as News Director, WTTW News

CHICAGO, IL – January 27, 2020 – Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent of WTTW and WFMT, announced today that Hugo Balta has joined the organization as News Director for WTTW News effective February 3, 2020.  Balta will have responsibility for leading, planning, reporting, producing, and editing news content and engagement across platforms and in the community, and will serve as Executive Producer of WTTW’s flagship news program Chicago Tonight. Balta will report…

NAHJ President On Returning Fox News Money

BALTA: Opinion and commentary is an extension of the news department, so it’s still under the management, the leadership, the editorial focus of that news entity. We’re not saying that it’s NAHJ’s place to tell Fox or any other media to either move to the left or to the right – liberal, conservative. We’re saying…

Local News Is Dying, and It’s Taking Small Town America With It

“Local news outlets play a vital role in the daily lives of communities who are often ignored by mega-media companies that are disconnected geographically and culturally,” said Hugo Balta , the president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, in an email. “The regionalization of content production, a failed one-size-fits-all practice, is irrelevant to already…

Latino Journalists Battle Washington Post Over ‘White Minorities’ Story

“The topic is very relevant, but the story would’ve benefited from the perspective of the community at the heart of this young woman’s angst,” Balta said. “The intent wasn’t to create division or fan the flames, but the impact was certainly that. ” The full Observer article: https://www.google.com/amp/observer.com/2018/08/washington-post-diversity-hispanic-journalists/amp/