Carrying the Torch: Oscar Guevara Steps Up for MG News

When federal immigration authorities detained veteran journalist Mario Guevara this summer, the ripple effects spread far beyond his family. Guevara, who has reported on and for Atlanta’s Spanish-speaking community for more than a decade, has become one of the longest-jailed journalists in the United States. His detention has raised alarms not only about press freedom but also about the silencing of journalism that serves immigrant communities at a critical moment.

For his 21-year-old son Oscar Guevara, the impact has been immediate and personal. A freelance photojournalist by training, Oscar has suddenly found himself responsible for managing MG News, the newsroom his father founded last year. With more than 112,000 followers on Facebook and a loyal audience across the South, MG News has been a vital source of immigration and community reporting.

“It’s been tough,” Oscar said in a recent interview. “I never had the desire to start my own business, let alone manage one that’s well-established. But when my dad was taken, I had to step into the role.”

LISTEN IN ON OSCAR’S INTERVIEW HERE 

A Pillar in the Community

Mario Guevara began his career at Mundo Hispánico, Atlanta’s largest Spanish-language newspaper, where he became a trusted source of reporting on immigration and community issues. In July 2024, he launched MG News, an independent outlet focused primarily on immigration but also covering crime, civic news, and stories of local interest.

Despite its youth, MG News quickly grew into a powerhouse. “Our audience is huge,” Oscar said. “Not just in Atlanta or Georgia, but across the South and even the North. We’ve had people from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and New York following our work.”

The outlet’s outsized reach reflects the hunger for information in immigrant communities, where mainstream newsrooms often overlook or misrepresent local realities.

A Sudden Crisis

Mario Guevara’s arrest came as he was livestreaming a protest in Atlanta. Although he holds a valid work permit, he was taken into ICE custody, making him the only journalist currently detained by the agency. Advocacy groups including the ACLU and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called for his immediate release.

Oscar said the national and international support has buoyed his family. “It’s given us hope and faith,” he explained. “Just knowing these organizations are standing up for my dad is incredible.”

Still, the absence of MG News’s founder has reshaped the newsroom overnight. Mario used to produce 30 stories a week. With the help of reporter Alondra Madrigal and marketing manager Claudia Cozine, Oscar now manages about 20. “Claudia doesn’t get talked about enough,” Oscar said, noting that she has kept sponsors engaged even as some paused their support. “She’s the backbone of MG News.”

Carrying the Work Forward

The challenge, Oscar admits, goes beyond workload. “Sponsors want my dad specifically. They trust him. His face and his word carry weight. It’s not the same when someone else steps in.”

That trust has also shaped MG News’s online presence. On Facebook, engagement has shifted. Stories about national figures still spark conversation, but local reporting often attracts comments centered on Mario’s detention rather than the issues at hand. “Most comments are about my dad rather than the stories themselves,” Oscar said.

Yet the newsroom has pressed on. “We feel a duty to keep our people protected and informed,” he explained. That includes taking steps to safeguard vulnerable sources. Reporters now ask whether interviewees want their names included, publish only first names when necessary, and avoid showing faces on camera.

The Weight of Leadership

The personal toll has been heavy. Oscar described the emotional strain of stepping into his father’s dual role as newsroom leader and family caretaker. “My dad was the leader of the household. Suddenly I had to step into that role. I can’t show sadness in front of my family because I don’t want to make them cry,” he said. “This situation has given me emotional maturity for sure.”

His earliest memories of his father as a journalist underscore the weight of the responsibility. “I remember we’d be at the dinner table and he’d get a tip, jump up, and leave in less than five minutes. That’s the type of work that’s admirable — leaving dinner with the family to inform the immigrant community,” he recalled.

A Chilling Message

Mario Guevara’s detention has sparked broader concerns about censorship and intimidation of immigrant-serving news outlets. He’s the only journalist in detention in retaliation for his reporting in the United States, according to the ACLU. 

Press freedom advocates argue that his arrest sends a chilling message to journalists who cover immigration enforcement and protests. The CPJ has called the arrest “a grim erosion of both freedom of the press and the rule of law.” If immigrant reporters fear retaliation, they say, entire communities risk losing access to accurate, timely information.

Oscar shares that concern but remains committed. “It doesn’t stop us from covering critical stories. We still run the news,” he said. “But we’re careful to protect people.”

Looking Ahead

When asked about his hopes for the future, Oscar returned to his father’s resilience. He recently visited Mario in detention. “Every time I hug him hello or goodbye, I want to cry,” he said. “But he tells me to stay strong. I’m learning to do that — for him, for our family, for the company, for everyone around me.”

For now, the Guevara family and their allies continue to fight for Mario’s release. Meanwhile, Oscar and his small team are holding MG News together, determined to keep the community informed in his absence.

“The fact that we’ve learned to pull together shows our ability to adapt,” Oscar reflected. “That’s what our communities have always done.”