The Absence of Latino Journalists at UMD and in Newsrooms

By: Ashley Neyra

Photo of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism housed in Knight Hall (Ashley Neyra)

When you turn on the news channel, you are often greeted by a person with blue eyes and blonde hair. According to the Pew Research Center, 76% of journalists they polled indicated they are white. The question of where that leaves Latino journalists arises. 

The Latino population is growing rapidly. In 2024, the Census reported that Latinos make up 19.5% of the U.S. population. A 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center found that Latinos make up only 8% of journalists in the U.S.

There is no question that a gap exists in Latino journalism representation. That issue persists at the University of Maryland, especially within the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. 

Assistant Dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, Josh Madden, reports that as of fall 2024, 42 of the 416 undergraduate students at the college of journalism are Hispanic/Latino, making up 10.1% of the journalism student body.

When describing what it is like being one of the few Latinas at the journalism school, sophomore journalism major Dariana Guzman said, “I feel like there's more I have to prove, and it's hard to stand out,” she said. “I feel like one of the hardest things is knowing that I have to stand out somehow, one way or another.” 

In the spring of 2024, Latinos made up 10.6% of the overall population at UMD, which is roughly the same percentage as in the journalism program.

Rafael Lorente, dean of the College of Journalism, indicated that the department is striving to increase the number of total minorities by focusing on groups that are underrepresented. 

Lorente explains that the department has redirected much of its scholarship funding toward in-state students over the past two years.

“If I’m going to get a diverse student population, and again, not just Black and Latino students or Asian students, but also rural students who are mostly white, I’m going to get them from Maryland,” said Lorente. 

The lack of representation can result in gaps in storytelling and a failure to address significant issues such as international news.

“International stories aren't getting as much coverage as they should be getting, considering there are people here who are from these countries, such as Venezuela or Guatemala, for one,” said Guzman.

Latino journalists are becoming essential in covering the Hispanic community in the U.S., overcoming language barriers and reporting on important topics such as immigration and the workforce. 

“I believe if there were more Hispanic journalists, topics that target the interest of Latinos would be more widespread and, in a sense, would create a sense of belonging, identity, etc.,” said junior journalism major Xavier Serrano.

For Latinos it’s important to see someone who shares the same cultural background and receive news in their native language. 

“Representation matters in a million other ways because people can see things that others might not,” said Lorente, who is Latino. “A diverse team makes a huge difference.” 

At the college of journalism, students like Serrano are trying to lead by example and encourage the next generation of Latino journalists. 

“I'm hoping that with the work I put out, alongside other Hispanic journalists, that we can make a big enough impact to inspire other like-minded Latinos that may be interested in journalism that are hesitant about their decision,” said Serrano.