Jan. 4, 2007

Arelis Hernández

The New York Times Institute

Arelis Hernández has a mission. She objects to the "embarrassing" local Hispanic media in her hometown of Washington D.C., and is committed to changing the way Hispanics produce broadcast news on local affiliates.

"I really feel I have a lot to offer the Latino community," said Hernández, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Maryland. "It's important now, especially since it is growing so fast."

A journalism major, Hernández said she is frustrated by bikini-clad models upstaging news content and what she described as insufficient and superficial coverage of the Hispanic community. She complained of an overall unprofessional presentation local Hispanic media outlets offer their viewers.

In preparing for her goals, Hernández has undertaken a self-proclaimed passionate study of Spanish. "Yo quiero ayudar los reciente immigrantes," she said with fluidity.

She is also the diversity writer for student newspaper at the University of Maryland, The Diamondback, where she was introduced to the reality of public feedback as a result of her reporting. After writing a story on migrant laborers, Hernández received a letter calling her an "irresponsible reporter." She said it made her realize that not everyone would like what she writes, but denied any bias, saying: "I was fair and balanced."

Hernández also was in charge of overhauling The Diamondback's bilingual supplement, La Voz Latina. With a staff of three, Hernández, reported, edited and created her ideal publication for the school's bilingual community.

Hernández sees the ethnic media as a way to bridge the generational gap between recent immigrants and their children. "I think it's achievable," she said. Realizing how important it is to be multi-faceted in an uncertain media industry, Hernández expressed her desire to explore all the dynamics of a newsroom while at the institute. "I want to try everything," she said. "I want to find out where my niche is."

-- VICTOR MORALES