Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos is profiled by the Los Angeles Times‘ Meg James. Ramos, who began his career in his 20s as a young reporter for KMEX Los Angeles, has now become one of the most powerful voices for Latinos on the country.
President George W. Bush gave the first interview of his second term to Ramos, and the anchor successfully pushed to secure interviews with President Obama and Mitt Romney focusing on Latino issues before the last election.
Now, as the Times notes, he is one of the leading voices for immigration reform, one of he biggest issues Latinos face today.
Ramos makes no apologies for his or Univision’s forceful stance.
“Our position is clearly pro-Latino or pro-immigrant,” he said. “We are simply being the voice of those who don’t have a voice….”
Ramos insists that journalism is his first priority. He complained to Obama’s election team when his likeness was used in a campaign ad. He told his TV audience, “We have always defended our journalistic integrity.” Still, he concedes that he is closer to the immigration story than most.
“I am emotionally linked to this issue,” Ramos said. “Because once you are an immigrant, you never forget that you are one.”