Cracking the Code:

More than 36 million Latinos are eligible to vote in November, and it’s a diverse community that requires different approaches to engage voters. There’s a linguistic challenge, where older generations are more comfortable consuming news in Spanish compared with the younger generations. Media organizations must think outside the box as more voters consume their news digitally and be as diverse as the communities they want to reach.

For Mark Lima, Fin Gómez, and Ed O’Keefe, pursuing journalism was a way to bring stories to all corners of the world and make a difference through storytelling. Being a journalist is not just a job but also a vocation.

CBS News, more than any previous election cycle, understands the significance of the Latino vote through the journalists it employs—bilingual political reporters who have been on the ground providing coverage on issues to the communities they want to reach. These journalists have the ability to provide understanding and nuance to important policy issues such as the economy, education, and immigration.

It has never been more important for a newsroom—from reporters to producers to executives—to reflect the audiences its serves. This allows for more nuance in coverage on issues important to the Latino community as well as advocating for those stories to be told. It doesn’t just stop at hiring Latino journalists, either. Media organizations have an obligation to ensure everyone in the newsroom is asking questions and increasing their awareness of issues across communities.

Step behind the camera to see how the April 25, 2024, America Decides broadcast comes to life.