TRENTON – A joint resolution sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Teresa Ruiz and Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Nellie Pou designating September 20th of each year as Hispanic American Journalist Pride Day was passed out of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today.
“Journalists are under fire today by so many people, including our president,” said Senator Pou (D-Passaic/Bergen). “So it’s important to recognize what all journalists do. But it is even more important that the press in America represents the vibrant and diverse cultures that comprise America. Besides covering national and international news, Hispanic journalists also bring a unique perspective to their reporting by writing about the concerns of the Hispanic Community as well as its pride and joy. We need that perspective to better understand the context of what is happening in so many of our communities. Hispanic journalists highlight the culture and diversity in the media and in journalism.”
“Designating a day to honor Hispanic journalists is fitting during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “We need journalists who not only see the vibrant stories that come out of our Hispanic communities, but understand the context of them in a way that only people who are of part of those neighborhoods can. Diversity in media is critical to ensuring that the news represented reflects all of New Jersey. Latino journalists make a vital contribution to the state as a whole.”
Hispanic Americans represent 17.4 percent of the U.S. population. Hispanic journalists make significant contributions in the news industry, developing careers in print, broadcast and online journalism in English and Spanish-language media.
The mission of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is to increase the percentage of Hispanics working in the nation’s newsrooms and to improve news coverage of the Hispanic community. NAHJ is the nation’s largest professional organization for Hispanic journalists with more than 1,400 members working in English and Spanish.
The joint resolution, SJR-14, passed out of committee by a vote of 5-0. It moves to the full Senate for further consideration.