Jorge Ramos: transforming Journalism Beyond Customary Neutrality

Jorge Ramos challenges the long-held belief that journalism must remain neutral. With nearly four decades as a leading anchor at Univision and recognized as a powerful voice in Spanish-language media, he has shifted from mainstream television to an autonomous digital platform.His latest project, Así veo Las Cosas, launched across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X, showcases his personal viewpoint rather than the detached objectivity typical of conventional news outlets.

Championing Advocacy Over Objectivity

Así veo Las Cosas, meaning “This Is How I See Things,” embodies Ramos’ commitment to causes such as immigrant rights, democracy promotion, and freedom advocacy. Unlike traditional news programs that avoid taking explicit stances to maintain impartiality, Ramos openly practices advocacy journalism. He argues that journalists should sometimes adopt clear positions on pressing social issues instead of merely presenting facts without context.

The Flaws of Neutral Reporting

“Neutrality is not a core journalistic value,” Ramos insists. While he stresses the importance of accuracy-reporting facts truthfully and correcting mistakes swiftly-he believes neutrality can become complicity when confronting injustice or abuses of power. This viewpoint is deeply influenced by his experiences fleeing censorship in 1980s Mexico and witnessing how silence often enables oppression.

The JournalistS Duty: Holding Power Accountable

A guiding principle for Ramos is contrapoder, a Spanish term meaning resistance against dominant power structures. He emphasizes two key responsibilities for journalists: first, to portray reality honestly; second-and more importantly-to challenge those who misuse authority.

“Journalists fulfill their societal role when they consistently stand up against political powers or authoritarian regimes,” he explains.

This philosophy contrasts with mid-20th-century American journalism ideals that prized detached fact-finding but frequently enough discouraged moral engagement on issues like systemic racism or corruption-a stance increasingly questioned today for enabling passivity in the face of injustice.

A Defining moment That Shaped His Perspective

Ramos recalls being inspired by American reporters openly criticizing President Ronald Reagan during his early years in the United States after emigrating from Mexico decades ago. “I cherish this country because it offered opportunities my homeland could not,” he reflects thoughtfully. Despite growing concerns about rising polarization and fear within America’s current climate, he remains optimistic about its foundational values enduring through collective action.

Engaging Audiences Directly Through Digital Platforms

The migration from traditional broadcast studios to digital channels has enabled Ramos unprecedented interaction with viewers worldwide-a stark contrast to earlier eras were interaction was largely one-directional.

• Así Veo Las Cosas recently highlighted Yocari Villagómez’s story-a woman forced into self-deportation despite her long-term U.S residency and marriage;
• An unexpected visit surprised Camila,an aspiring journalist based in Brooklyn;
• This immediate connection fosters community around shared struggles frequently ignored by mainstream media;
• The show now attracts millions monthly across multiple social networks according to recent analytics;
• This real-time feedback loop allows content creation responsive both emotionally and politically while maintaining journalistic integrity grounded in lived experience rather than abstract neutrality.

Navigating Reinvention at Sixty-Seven Amid Media Evolution

“reinventing myself after decades on television was essential-not optional,” says Ramos candidly about launching his independent venture at age sixty-seven amid rapidly changing global media consumption habits (with over 60% of internet users worldwide engaging daily with video content).

This transition presents challenges such as sustainably monetizing digital journalism without sacrificing editorial independence-a common hurdle faced by many emerging online journalists today-but passion fuels his persistence:

“Journalists never truly retire; there are always battles worth fighting.”

A Career Defined by Courageous Storytelling and Advocacy Journalism

Taking bold stands against powerful figures has marked numerous moments throughout Jorge Ramos’ career-from calling former President Obama “deporter-in-chief” during a contentious interview years ago-to confronting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro directly at Caracas’ presidential palace amid political unrest.His fearless approach demonstrates how journalism can empower marginalized communities by amplifying their voices instead of sidelining them under false claims of impartiality.

In an era where public trust fluctuates-with only around 29% fully trusting mass media according to recent surveys-the need for obvious yet principled reporting grows stronger.

By embracing advocacy combined with factual rigor, Jorge Ramos continues shaping modern journalism for millions seeking truth beyond neutrality.