I recommend this piece by Ernesto Aguilar, a public media leader with dedicated concern for our ever-growing Latino audiences. Here’s an excerpt with links to the source. Gracias!
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This month marked the official launch of the Latino Media Consortium, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to transform how media serves Latino communities. For public media, this is more than just industry news—it offers valuable insights into addressing gaps in representation, engagement and sustainability.
I wrote about this in detail in my latest newsletter, but here are three key takeaways for public media:
- Transition to Community-First Models. While public media often focuses on metrics like Nielsen ratings, the consortium emphasizes meaningful engagement with local communities. This approach encourages public media to rethink success by prioritizing content that resonates deeply with diverse, bilingual audiences.
- The Importance of Long-Term Investment. Unlike the project-based funding model typical in public media, the LMC focuses on building long-term capacity. This shift towards sustainability highlights the importance of investing in community-based journalism. Public media can adopt similar strategies to strengthen its commitment to diverse audiences.
- Addressing the BIPOC Media Crisis. By advocating for community-driven media, the consortium reminds us that inclusivity is both a democratic and economic imperative. Public media, with its mission of supporting democracy, must take this lesson to heart or risk losing growth opportunities and audience trust.
With its bold goal of raising $100 million over five years, the LMC is poised to empower Latino media. Public media can learn from their community-first approach to better serve diverse communities and build a more resilient and equitable media ecosystem.