The Creation, Development, and Operation of a Spanish-Language News Division

Author

Jason William Tarr

Degree Type

Honors Capstone Project

Date of Submission

Spring 5-1-2009

Capstone Advisor

John Nicholson

Honors Reader

Tere Paniagua

Capstone Major

Broadcast and Digital Journalism

Capstone College

Public Communications

Audio/Visual Component

no

Capstone Prize Winner

yes

Won Capstone Funding

no

Honors Categories

Professional

Subject Categories

Broadcast and Video Studies | International and Area Studies | Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature | Spanish Linguistics

Abstract

My Honors Capstone is the creation, development and operation of a Spanish-language news division on theSyracuseUniversitycampus. I chose to start this division at CitrusTV, the oldest and largest student-run television station in theUnited States. At the heart of the Spanish-language news division, is the Spanish-language news broadcast I created: CitrusTV Noticias en Espanol (CitrusTV News in Spanish). The broadcast is a thirty-minute news program covering campus, local, national and international news for theSyracuseUniversity, andSyracusearea, communities. It is student run and includesSyracuseUniversityundergraduate and graduate students from nearly every college at the University.

Having the broadcast is more important than ever because there is a growing population of Latinos and Spanish-speakers inCentral New York. The Census Bureau estimates that about 8% of the people inOnondagaCountyare Latino. InCentral New York, the number of Latinos in the area is expected to top 30,000 in the near future. Across the nation, Spanish-language media is increasing in reach and importance. As the demographics of theUnited Stateschanges and more Latinos move into the country, the Hispanic media companies are increasing their market share. The Census Bureau estimates that 25% of theUnited Statespopulation will be Latino by 2050. Univision and Telemundo are two of the largest Hispanic media conglomerates in theUnited States. In some cities across the country, Univision and Telemundo affiliates are beating their local English counterparts in the ratings.

The process to create the show began with the idea or brainstorming stage. After speaking with students, professors, and community members my freshman year, I learned there was a need in theCentral New Yorkcommunity for a Spanish-language news program. After doing additional research and starting an exploratory phase, I developed a formal proposal that I submitted to my venue of choice, CitrusTV, in the September of 2007. The Executive Staff of CitrusTV reviewed the proposal and authorized me to tape a pilot program for its review. The pilot program was taped in December of 2007. The Executive Staff used the pilot program as a basis to approve the inclusion of CitrusTV Noticias into its regular programming in January of 2008. During the last three semesters I have held auditions, training sessions, and three seasons of shows as we work to establish ourselves as a respected news organization in theSyracusearea.

I have now selected a transition team that will lead the broadcast after I graduate. My expectation is that the show will continue after I leave and will continue to expand its reach to the community. The establishment of this show has provided Spanish-speaking students an outlet for their expression on campus, it has added a dynamic element to CitrusTV programming, and has helped to bridge the gap between the Latino community andSyracuseUniversity.

Recommended Citation

Tarr, Jason William, "The Creation, Development, and Operation of a Spanish-Language News Division" (2009). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 478.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/478

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