UNIVISION NEWS RECEIVES GRANT FROM FORD FOUNDATION TO EXPAND ITS QUALITY INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

MIAMI – AUGUST 7, 2013 – Univision News, the award-winning news division of Univision Communications, Inc, the leading media company serving Hispanic America, announced that it has received a grant from the Ford Foundation to support its quality investigative journalism. 

Univision News was the recipient of a one-year, $500,000 grant from the Ford Foundation’s Freedom of Expression Unit to strengthen and expand its Documentary and Investigative units. The funds will allow the News division to devote more time and resources to the production of original in-depth reporting focused on important issues that significantly affect the Hispanic community, including immigration, civic and political participation, building economic security, access to higher education, and health, among others.

“This grant strengthens our ability to continue providing the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. with the quality news and information that Univision is unwaveringly committed to,” said Isaac Lee, president of News for Univision Communications, Inc. “The grant allows us to offer Hispanic audiences serious, reliable, in-depth investigative reporting that goes far beyond what is currently being presented in the mainstream media. We thank Ford Foundation for recognizing the quality of our journalism and for their generous support of our News division.”

The Ford grant comes at a time when Univision News has increased its investment in quality news and information, and expanded its brand and credibility by devoting more air time and resources to investigative reporting and in-depth news coverage. This grant will allow for additional impactful coverage on issues that otherwise would not receive substantive in-depth treatment. During the last 24 months, Univision News has formed collaborations with some of the most respected institutions in journalism, including the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley, Frontline, the Center for Investigative Reporting, and ABC.

“The Ford Foundation is dedicated to supporting the quality and quantity of journalism on complex social issues," said Jonathan Barzilay, Director of the Foundation’s Freedom of Expression unit. “We are pleased to help support Univision’s commitment to produce investigative reports and documentaries that serve America's fastest-growing demographic.”

Univision News has been recently recognized for its quality journalism and commitment to informing its audience, winning Peabody, IRE and National Headliner Awards for its investigative reporting, as well as a Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism,   among other prestigious journalism, documentary and investigative awards. Results have also been reflected in continued audience growth. In 2013 all of Univision’s news properties are reporting impressive season-to-date audience growth among the key demographics.

The funds received from the Ford Foundation will be used for the production of original news content, and Univision News will have absolute editorial freedom and control over the issues and topics that it plans to cover. Ford Foundation requires all recipients of grants under the Media and Justice Initiative to produce content that is non-partisan and adheres to traditional journalistic standards and ethics.