The News Media in Puerto Rico offers a synopsis as well as a critical analysis of the Island’s news media system, with emphasis on the political and economic factors that most influence how the media operate. The authors also document the impact of Hurricane Maria on the media structures and the changing media landscape given the political, economic and colonial strictures. Building on interviews with news media professionals, the book further presents detailed insights about journalism and journalism education in these times of crises. The final chapters include theoretical frameworks and methodological guidelines for the analysis of other colonial, post-colonial and neo-colonial media systems, with research recommendations valuable for future studies of the Island’s media as well as for cross-national comparisons. This book will be an essential read for students and scholars interested in learning not only about the Puerto Rican and Latin American mass media, but also the media systems of other colonial/neo-colonial countries.

The research undertaken and presented here addresses the controversial issue of United States news media portrayals of the Island Nation of Puerto Rico, specifically related to news underrepresentation and misrepresentation during the period 2000 to 2015. The research was motivated, in part, by the acknowledged paucity of research about media in Puerto Rico in general, and, more specifically, about the role of media in the political life of Puerto Rico. The overall conceptual orientation to the analysis of media dynamics presented here is within the theoretical framework of neocolonialism supported by social construction of reality theory as applied to news. The analysis was guided by the recognized understanding that the gate keeping functions of the media, together with the routine processes of determining what is or is not newsworthy, do not allow for news to be neutral or impartial. Data were gathered and examined using a sequential quantitative-qualitative mixed methods approach, which involved a descriptive univariate quantitative statistical analysis to identify and explore salient patterns and characteristics of news coverage about Puerto Rico by major United States broadcast and print outlets during the fifteen-year period cited. The major finding of the study is that, through the allied processes of misrepresentation and underrepresentation of news, United States news media portrayals of Puerto Rico have continued to promote the neocolonial media dynamics of globalization by creating and fostering a discourse about Puerto Rico that sustains and reinforces its condition as dependent and unprepared for independent political status. This study aims to promote the study and deeper appreciation of neocolonial media dynamics of globalization, and therefore, to serve as a foundation for future studies exploring such phenomena across the globe.

This book offers a critical and practical guide for journalists reporting on issues affecting the Latinx community. Reporting on Latino/a/x Communities emphasizes skills and best practices for covering topics such as economics, immigration and gender. The authors share honest stories about challenges Latino/a/x journalists face in newsrooms, including imposter syndrome and lack of representation in news, along with strategies to face and tackle systematic barriers. Stories from leaders in the media industry are also featured, including journalists and media professionals from ABC News, Los Angeles Times, Alt.Latino at NPR, and mitú. Additionally highlighted are experimental and non-traditional new initiatives and outlets leading the future of news media for Latino/a/x audiences. This book is an invaluable guide for any student or journalist interested or involved in the news media and questions of Latino/a/x representation.

Hurricane Maria was a historical moment that re-ignited a century-long debate between different socio-economic and political factions of Puerto Rican society. After Hurricane Maria, the discussion surrounding Puerto Rico's sovereignty made headlines in many news-media outlets. The case for Puerto Rico's annexation illuminates the continuation of the U.S. domination of Puerto Rico and the erasure of autonomy movements on the islands through liberal discourse. This paper presents an analysis of media representations of Puerto Rico's recovery following Hurricane Maria, to situate the contemporary moment into a historical timeline of Puerto Rico's complicated relationship to the United States. This analysis contributes to current discussions of Puerto Rico's political position in relation to the United States. By illuminating conversations about Puerto Rico's recovery from the perspectives of the people and not the political elite, this paper can allow for new understandings of Puerto Rico's status and its trajectory towards statehood that move away from the normalization of imperial and neoliberal values.

"A [book] rich in detail and analysis, which anyone wanting to understand the language debate in Puerto Rico will find essential."--Arlene Davila, Syracuse University This is the first book in English to analyze the controversial language policies passed by the Puerto Rican government in the 1990s. It is also the first to explore the connections between language and cultural identity and politics on the Caribbean island. Shortly after the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898, both English and Spanish became official languages of the territory. In 1991, the Puerto Rican government abolished bilingualism, claiming that "Spanish only" was necessary to protect the culture from North American influences. A few years later bilingualism was restored and English was promoted in public schools, with supporters asserting that the dual languages symbolized the island’s commitment to live in harmony with the United States. While the islanders’ sense of ethnic pride was growing, economic dependency enticed them to maintain close ties to the United States. This book shows that officials in both San Juan and Washington, along with English-first groups, used the language laws as weapons in the battle over U.S.-Puerto Rican relations and the volatile debate over statehood. It will be of interest to linguists, political scientists, students of contemporary cultural politics, and political activists in discussions of nationalism in multilingual communities.

Examines the struggle of the Puerto Rican Independence Party for serious press coverage in the last three gubernatorial lections, and the ways in which mainstream press coverage of the party shifted away from issues and into personality and personal attacks.