El Diario is here to stay, and stronger than ever

In less than a year, El Diario/La Prensa will celebrate its 100th anniversary as the oldest Spanish-language daily in the nation. Reaching that incredible milestone is no easy journey.

As with other news outlets and media companies, we have felt the pain of the economic recession and the challenges that come with rapid shifts in technology and information. We made tough decisions, including cutting costs, to ensure that El Diario can fully evolve into the publication that our audience requires and deserves.

This week, our parent company ImpreMedia announced a strategic alliance with US Hispanic Media, a deal designed to bring resources that can help accelerate the transformation of El Diario and its sister publications into a robust, multiplatform operation.

These strategic decisions are not simply about adjusting to financial pressure. They are about positioning EDLP for survival and growth. We have laid the groundwork for what we hope is another century of championing the causes that are dear to so many Latinos in New York.

But this is beyond preserving an important and trusted brand.

During the last 40 years, we have taken the slogan “el campeón de los hispanos” to heart, aware that we have a unique mission to serve our community. Our commitment to quality journalism is joined by our passion for advocacy in shaping a New York that reflects the contributions of our people.

We have been proud especially of our role in the lives of pioneering and brave families from nuestros países who came here to have a better shot at success and freedom.

In 1913, when La Prensa was established, there were 14,000 Latinos in la Gran Manzana. Nearly a century later, we are at 2.3 million and exchanging information instantaneously. We are texting, facebooking, tweeting and emailing across geographic boundaries and most importantly, across generations. Our community is spreading its wings and we need to fly with it.

Throughout these changes, we remain faithful to our core mission. Not one day passes without our team thinking about how to deliver news, analysis and information that will help Latinos and is informed by them. We are doing that work well. This is why everyone from political candidates to small business owners to the Doña’s battling a troublesome landlord turn to us. The numerous journalistic awards we have received are further testament to the quality and diligence of our team.

Our community is too often forced to wade through hostility and confront great barriers. But it can count on the loud, enduring voice of El Diario/La Prensa.