EXPLORE:The Vital Role of Bilingual Reporters
START
The Vital Role of Bilingual Reporters
Click the buttons below to learn more about the strengths and advantages of being a bilingual reporter.
Strengths
Advantages
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
1.
Create Rapport Through Identity
People are more likely to talk to people they feel comfortable with, and they feel more comfortable with people who speak the same language, or who understand similar cultural experiences. This is true in times of tragedy when families may be hesitant to speak to the media, but also in times of communal celebration, like when the Los Angeles Times reported on Día de Muertos during the pandemic.
Example
LINK TO LA TIMES STORY
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
2.
Be Flexible
Your bilingual skills make you flexible — and it’s important to exercise that flexibility. Sometimes when you’re covering breaking news, you don’t know if the people you’ll come across will speak English or Spanish, and if you’re working for an English-language outlet, you may need to translate on the fly. Otherwise, if you have time to prep for a story and you’re not sure what language your interviewees prefer to speak in, it may be best to write down questions in both Spanish and English so you’re prepared for either scenario.
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
3.
Be Patient
As a bilingual reporter, you may understand the cultural norms of a given Latino community better and that you can’t just show up with a camera and start asking questions. You have to build rapport. You have to be willing to put in the time and not expect to come away with a few quotes or sound bites after being there for 20 minutes.
example
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
4.
Spend Time in the Community Outside of Work
Related to patience is spending time with the community when you’re not actively reporting a story. This is important for whatever community you’re covering, especially ones who may have warranted skepticism against the media because they’ve been undercovered or misrepresented in the past. This includes reaching out to community leaders to introduce yourself, following up with the people you’ve spoken to in the past, eating lunch at local restaurants when you're reporting in the area, being around for cultural celebrations, and more.
example
Done!
Click "Next Activity" at the bottom of the page.
Explore: The Vital Role of Bilingual Reporters
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Transcript
EXPLORE:The Vital Role of Bilingual Reporters
START
The Vital Role of Bilingual Reporters
Click the buttons below to learn more about the strengths and advantages of being a bilingual reporter.
Strengths
Advantages
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
1.
Create Rapport Through Identity
People are more likely to talk to people they feel comfortable with, and they feel more comfortable with people who speak the same language, or who understand similar cultural experiences. This is true in times of tragedy when families may be hesitant to speak to the media, but also in times of communal celebration, like when the Los Angeles Times reported on Día de Muertos during the pandemic.
Example
LINK TO LA TIMES STORY
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
2.
Be Flexible
Your bilingual skills make you flexible — and it’s important to exercise that flexibility. Sometimes when you’re covering breaking news, you don’t know if the people you’ll come across will speak English or Spanish, and if you’re working for an English-language outlet, you may need to translate on the fly. Otherwise, if you have time to prep for a story and you’re not sure what language your interviewees prefer to speak in, it may be best to write down questions in both Spanish and English so you’re prepared for either scenario.
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
3.
Be Patient
As a bilingual reporter, you may understand the cultural norms of a given Latino community better and that you can’t just show up with a camera and start asking questions. You have to build rapport. You have to be willing to put in the time and not expect to come away with a few quotes or sound bites after being there for 20 minutes.
example
4 Ways Bilingual Journalists Can Stand Out in the Field
4.
Spend Time in the Community Outside of Work
Related to patience is spending time with the community when you’re not actively reporting a story. This is important for whatever community you’re covering, especially ones who may have warranted skepticism against the media because they’ve been undercovered or misrepresented in the past. This includes reaching out to community leaders to introduce yourself, following up with the people you’ve spoken to in the past, eating lunch at local restaurants when you're reporting in the area, being around for cultural celebrations, and more.
example
Done!
Click "Next Activity" at the bottom of the page.