Radio Campesina Hires a Local Reporter to Tackle Disinformation

With help from The Pivot Fund, this strategic hire shows how community media can build trust, expand local coverage, and fight misinformation on Spanish-language airwaves.

With dedicated support from The Pivot Fund, Radio Campesina has hired veteran journalist Ernesto Rodríguez—a milestone that marks a bold step forward in the station’s mission to deliver trusted, community-rooted journalism across Arizona.

Rodríguez, a seasoned multimedia journalist with over a decade of experience, brings sharp editorial instincts and deep cultural knowledge to the role. A communications major by training, he began as Sports Managing Editor at La Voz de la Frontera, Mexicali’s largest newspaper, where he oversaw daily sports coverage and print design. He later expanded into digital and broadcast formats, founding Punto Gamer and launching Updateando, a Spanish-language pop culture podcast network with more than 4,000 weekly downloads.

Now, Rodríguez is channeling his storytelling talents into local reporting that centers the lives, challenges, and contributions of immigrant and Latino communities in Arizona. His beat will cover critical issues like immigration, labor, housing, and education—topics he describes as “core to daily life and opportunity.”

“As a Latino journalist, I feel a deep personal responsibility to highlight the voices and challenges of immigrant communities,” Rodríguez said. “At Radio Campesina, we aim to go beyond information delivery. We want to build trust, foster civic awareness, and create a sense of belonging in a climate that often marginalizes our communities.” 

What Other Outlets Can Learn

This hire is part of a strategic, replicable model for strengthening local media ecosystems—especially in communities vulnerable to disinformation. With a clear mission, dedicated community audience, and the right philanthropic partner, Radio Campesina was able to identify a newsroom gap, structure a new role, and bring on the right journalist to fill it.

Replicable strategy: Identify your coverage gaps, define a mission-driven position, and work with funders who provide more than just dollars—they offer capacity-building and hiring support too.

This investment builds on The Pivot Fund’s broader commitment to Arizona’s news ecosystem. In addition to backing Conecta Arizona, The Pivot Fund invested in Radio Campesina to deepen its reach and relevance statewide—ensuring that trusted messengers are positioned to tell the stories that matter most.

With this investment, The Pivot Fund is also making a bold bet on expanding credible, high-quality journalism on Spanish-language radio—a crucial intervention in a medium that plays an outsized role in shaping public opinion, yet has long gone underfunded.

As The New Yorker recently reported in “The Radio Station That Latino Voters Trust,” Radio Campesina plays a vital role in countering disinformation on Spanish-language airwaves and building civic trust in immigrant communities.

From Mission to Model

Radio Campesina, a proud Pivot Fund grantee, operates across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia. Through seven radio stations and affiliated media brands—Chavez Digital Solutions, The Main Ticket, and Inspired Studios—it reaches more than 7 million people with bilingual, community-powered content. Rooted in the legacy of César Chávez, the network has long served as both cultural connector and civic amplifier, making sure that farmworkers, immigrants, and working-class Latino families are not only seen—but heard.

Rodríguez’s hiring represents the first time the network has had a reporter formally dedicated to covering local stories from within the Arizona community. As Maria Barquin, Network Program Director & Executive Producer for Chavez Media, noted, the position fills a long-standing need.

“The impact we hope Ernesto will have, both in the short and long term, is to continue strengthening the trust of our audience and to allow us to better serve our community by addressing important local issues,” Barquin said.

The Pivot Fund’s Hands-On Approach

The Pivot Fund’s support extended well beyond the financial. The team partnered closely with Radio Campesina to co-design the role, define editorial priorities, and provide guidance throughout the hiring process—an approach rooted in partnership and power-sharing.

Replicable strategy: When seeking philanthropic support, look for funders who will roll up their sleeves and help you think through the how—not just fund the what.
For funders: Invest in organizations’ capacity to hire talent that reflects the communities they serve, and offer strategic support through the process.

“Being part of a community-rooted newsroom means having the chance to uplift the voices of my people.” Rodríguez said. “It’s an opportunity to share not only the struggles, but also the strength, creativity, and beauty of Latino culture.”

Shifting the Narrative

Rodríguez’s reporting will help counter misinformation and inspire civic participation—especially among Spanish-speaking audiences too often ignored or misrepresented by mainstream outlets. His on-the-ground presence is proof of what’s possible when local media is empowered to lead.

“Investing in local, trusted reporters is important right now because thorough investigation and accurate reporting are essential,” Barquin said. “We need reporters who authentically represent and connect with the communities they cover—so audiences feel seen, supported, and well-informed.”

With Rodríguez now on board, Radio Campesina is poised to deepen its impact—one local story at a time. The model is clear: when community media outlets are trusted and resourced, they build the infrastructure needed to inform, connect, and protect their audiences.

“Telling these stories helps shift narratives,” Rodríguez said. “It shows that we are more than a labor force—we are families, leaders, and changemakers. Journalism that reflects this truth gives our community the recognition and dignity it deserves.”