Why Supporting Immigrant-Serving Journalism Matters Now

When Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara was detained by ICE earlier this year while covering a protest, the impact was immediate and devastating. Mario, who has been a trusted voice in Atlanta’s Hispanic community for more than a decade, built MG News into a newsroom reaching more than 112,000 people across the South. His arrest has left a void in the community he has served tirelessly — and raised urgent questions about press freedom and the silencing of immigrant-focused journalism.

In the absence of its founder, Mario’s 21-year-old son, Oscar, has stepped in to lead MG News. A freelance photojournalist by training, Oscar never expected to manage a newsroom. Yet today, with the help of reporter Alondra Madrigal and marketing manager Claudia Cozine, he is producing about 20 stories a week — two-thirds of his father’s former output.

The challenges are significant. Sponsors who once supported MG News have pulled back, saying they want Mario’s personal presence to endorse their businesses. On Facebook, where the newsroom’s following is strongest, engagement has shifted. Stories that once sparked wide discussion now draw mostly comments about Mario’s detention.

And yet, MG News continues to deliver. Oscar and his team have adapted, putting safeguards in place to protect sources in a politically fraught environment. They ask interviewees if they want their names published, sometimes using only first names or avoiding images altogether. “We feel a duty to keep our people protected and informed,” Oscar says.

The personal toll on Oscar has been profound. “My dad was the leader of the household,” he reflects. “When he was taken away, suddenly I had to step into that role.” At 21, he is carrying the weight of both family and newsroom, growing into leadership and resilience far earlier than expected.

This moment underscores why support for immigrant-serving journalism is essential. When voices like Mario’s are silenced, entire communities lose access to trusted information at the very moment they need it most. MG News is more than a newsroom; it is a lifeline.

Philanthropy has a unique opportunity — and responsibility — to ensure that immigrant communities are not left in the dark. Supporting outlets like MG News not only strengthens local journalism but also protects the right of vulnerable communities to be informed, heard, and respected.

As Oscar himself put it: “The fact that we’ve learned to pull together shows our ability to adapt. That’s what our communities have always done.”