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Analysis

Investing in the Next Generation of Trusted Media

November 4, 2025

A collage of Pivot grantees working to support youth in their communities
Radio Campesina, Hy-Lo News, The Baltimore Beat and The Kansas City Defender think creatively to involve youth in their communities.

How Pivot-Backed Outlets Are Innovating to Engage Younger Audiences

As trusted local media evolves, The Pivot Fund’s grantees are proving that innovation and intergenerational engagement go hand in hand. With support from Pivot, Chavez Media’s Radio Campesina is pioneering new ways to connect with younger Latino audiences—building a bridge between legacy trust and digital-first storytelling.

With support from The Pivot Fund, Radio Campesina brought on Ernesto “Lego” Legorreta Rodríguez, a seasoned journalist whose work blends authenticity, digital creativity, and cultural fluency. His streaming show, El Malcriado, pairs journalism with entertainment and conversation to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences across social platforms—extending Radio Campesina’s reach far beyond the airwaves.

“Engaging younger audiences is essential to our mission—not only to build the future of Radio Campesina and El Malcriado, but also to fight the spread of disinformation,” said Maria Barquin, Radio Campesina Network Program Director & Executive Producer for Chavez Media. 

Rodríguez’s work also strengthens information ecosystems. From El Malcriado’s digital storytelling to the Conoce tus Derechos (Know Your Rights) campaign, Chavez Media uses accessible, trusted information to combat disinformation and empower audiences to act—especially around immigration and civic issues.

This approach reflects a growing movement among Pivot-backed outlets to meet young audiences where they are and build trust across generations.

  • Hy-Lo News in Miami reaches HBCU students and young professionals through video storytelling and live podcast tapings.
  • Baltimore Beat co-creates youth voter guides and features young photographers.
  • The Kansas City Defender trains and uplifts youth leaders through its B-REAL Academy and community events.

“The Defender is not just reporting on change—it’s cultivating the people who will make it,” said Eric Ortiz, The Pivot Fund’s Associate Director of Research.

These outlets show how funding community-rooted innovation can reshape local news systems for long-term sustainability. By empowering trusted messengers like Rodríguez and his peers, funders are not just supporting journalism—they’re investing in the next generation of civic infrastructure.