CNN en Español Expands Coverage, Looks to Hire Multi-Media Freelancers in the Future

By Jackie B Diaz

Nearly two dozen NAHJ members gathered at the CNN Washington Bureau to hear from Willie Lora, CNN en Español Bureau Chief.

He said the news industry is changing and so is CNN. The company combined its news desks and resources from CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Español.

NAHJ CNN Meeting 1 — NAHJ DC Chapter President Brandon Benavides looks on as CNN en Español Bureau Chief Willie Lora talks about his experience as a member of NAHJ.

NAHJ CNN Meeting 2 — NAHJ DC members gather to hear CNN en Español Bureau Chief Willie Lora at the CNN Washington Bureau

“These little islands don’t exist anymore, we are all one,” he said. “They now use the term ‘One CNN’ because the whole organization shares content.”

Lora said CNN en Español has grown about 20-25% and added more in-depth coverage, increasing some 30-minutes shows to one full hour.

Content from CNN en Español is used across all platforms a lot more because Lora said the network understands the importance of the Latino audience.

“We are also integrating viewer comments and although it’s a lot of work we try to put all the comments on air,” he said.

All this growth has led to job security.

“CNN en Español in Washington has not laid off anyone they’ve hired,” he said.

Attention job seekers

CNN en Español will soon hire producers and social media producers. Lora mentioned many positions start off as freelancers but eventually turn into full-time positions.

“This gives us the opportunity to open up more freelance positions,” he said.”We’ve been pushing to the network bilingualism. This way we can go cover an event and have our bases covered in English and Spanish.”

Lora said positions should start opening up in mid to late October.