The recession, combined with staffing cuts in the news industry, have left organizations whose mission it is to help minority journalists advance their careers, close to collapse. TVNewser has obtained an internal email from the NAHJ — the National Association of Hispanic Journalists — which concludes the organization may have to “cease operations” if a budget gap is not closed.
By now you know that cuts in funding from sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers as well as registration at our annual convention have left NAHJ with a $300,000 budget shortfall.
To date we have raised over $75,000 to close that gap, but if we do not raise more funds now, NAHJ will have to cease operations and stop all programs for the rest of the year.
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NAHJ along with groups like NABJ representing black journalists, AAJA for Asian American journalists and NLGJA for gay and lesbian journalists, are struggling during these tough times. Many have trimmed expenses and cut staffs and are reaching out to members to try and keep the organizations alive during the recession.
NAHJ furloughed its entire staff. “We know the hardship that this will cause them and their families and we appreciate their continued dedication to NAHJ,” reads the email.
Founded in 1975, NABJ is the oldest of these organizations. They will be holding a board meeting this weekend in Baltimore. We’ll let you know what happens.