Roberto Macedonio of NTN24: “Our Differentiating Factor Is In-Depth News Analysis”

Spanish journalist Roberto Macedonio has worked for some of the most important international news channels in the global media landscape and currently serves as Washington, D.C. correspondent for NTN24.

Macedonio, who has now been with the channel for a year in Washington, says that before joining NTN24, he was already a loyal viewer of the network, which he considered one of the best sources for international news.

“I watched it a lot from Madrid because I always wanted to pursue a career in international journalism, and I realized it was the only option available to Spanish speakers who wanted access to international information. NTN24 has now established itself as the leading international news outlet in Spanish. As a viewer, I discovered NTN24 while I was studying journalism and looking to focus my career on international affairs. Little by little, I began collaborating with them, first as a panelist on many analysis programs because political analysis is something that interests me greatly, and I believe it has a significant place on international news channels beyond the news itself. Analysis and depth are key differentiating elements these channels can provide. I began doing analysis in 2022 on programs such as La Noche, hosted by general director Claudia Gurisatti, as well as La Tarde and Ángulo,” Macedonio explained.

For the young journalist, working from Washington has been particularly rewarding. “I’m very happy because I also have the opportunity to host a program called Club de Prensa. I’m very grateful to management, to Claudia Gurisatti, and also to Julián Giraldo (Executive VP of RCN International), for the trust they have placed in me,” he said.

DEPTH OF INFORMATION IS KEY FOR NTN24

According to Macedonio, the key to NTN24’s success is the depth of its reporting. “Many channels reduce international coverage to a few minutes within a newscast or simply report the headlines. NTN24 focuses on in-depth analysis of the news, and I believe that is a very important differentiating factor. From a storytelling perspective, going beyond the details and into the analytical narrative of what is happening is what has allowed us to connect with a massive, transnational audience throughout the Americas and even Europe,” he emphasized.

He noted that conducting deep analysis of current events, comparing what is happening today with what happened years ago, comparing what political leaders are saying now with what they were saying months earlier, and digging into archives means “not remaining on the surface of the news but truly exploring it in depth. That’s why I believe NTN24 is such an interesting channel for viewers. As someone who was once part of the audience, that depth is what attracted me. As a journalist, it’s a gift to be able to work on stories with the full support of management to go beyond the headlines.”

CHALLENGES

When asked about the main challenges he has faced as a journalist at NTN24, Macedonio highlighted three: the constant coverage of breaking news from Washington, the fall of Nicolás Maduro, and NTN24’s coverage of the Middle East, where he served as the channel’s special correspondent in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and along the Gaza border during the release of hostages held by Hamas and during the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the Trump administration and the United States.

He explained that Washington generates breaking news continuously, and working for a 24-hour news channel means “you are constantly on alert and updating information. What happens in the morning is often outdated by noon because there has been another development, new statements from the president, or comments from members of the administration. Reporting on U.S. politics is a challenge when dealing with an administration that makes decisions very quickly.”

Macedonio is the host of Club de Prensa

He added that reporting from the Middle East was also a major challenge.

“Covering these events from the scene itself and speaking with firsthand sources was a tremendous challenge, but it also confirmed how important original reporting is to NTN24. I have worked at other channels that relied more heavily on agency footage. NTN24, however, has a strong commitment to developing its own sources, which is why we traveled to the location of the story—in this case, Israel—while the hostage releases were taking place,” he said.

TRENDS

Among the major trends Macedonio sees in the news industry is, “without question,” digital media.

“People often speak of digital as the future, but it isn’t the future anymore—it has been here for years. That is the trend. It’s not that it is becoming increasingly important; news is already digital, and television today is digital. Of course, cable, broadcast television, and satellite distribution remain essential and will continue to coexist, but I would venture to say that the digital model is now even more important,” he said.

In that regard, he noted that NTN24 “has a very strong digital strategy. When I joined the channel, I had to embrace the challenge of informing audiences who consume content through YouTube and social media. It’s about creating an audiovisual language for linear television that is also digestible for YouTube audiences and for users on Instagram and TikTok, where NTN24 has more than 10 million followers. The challenge is ensuring that content produced for television can also succeed on digital platforms and aligns with the language and storytelling styles that work there. That is what I have learned and continue learning at NTN24 alongside the digital team.”

As host of Club de Prensa, he said the primary challenge has been working not only with the channel’s editorial and news departments but also with its digital division to develop a multimedia strategy “that allows our content to go viral and gain visibility online.”

Another important trend, he said, is the precision of digital audience metrics.

“You get to know your audience much better because online audiences provide exact data. Traditional television audiences were based on statistical estimates and projections. Never before has television had as much information about its target audience as it does today. That allows us to tailor content much more effectively because we have real data about our viewers’ ages, profiles, and interests. As a result, we can create almost personalized information experiences,” he explained.

NTN24: NEARLY 20 YEARS OF SERVING ITS AUDIENCE

Asked how media organizations can combat fake news and the constant flood of information facing audiences today, Macedonio said the only way is by providing “real, fully verified, and trustworthy information.”

“Today, many channels distribute information, but that is one thing; journalism organizations are another. NTN24 is a journalistic institution with nearly 20 years of service to its audience. It is part of the RCN Group, one of the most respected Spanish-language media organizations in the world. Under the leadership of Claudia Gurisatti in the editorial and news division, NTN24 stands apart because every piece of content we air goes through a rigorous journalistic process.”

He added that before reporting any information, the network verifies it with at least two or more sources from different areas to confirm the facts, among other professional journalistic protocols.

“That is the key. That’s why I spoke earlier about having our own sources, maintaining a presence in Washington, and going directly to the scene of the news to ensure the information we provide is accurate and verified. I believe this channel maintains very high quality standards because of the professionalism of its team. A story never goes on air without being reviewed by multiple people. The journalist prepares it, the managing editor reviews it, the news director approves it, and the broadcast chief is the final person to read it before it goes on air. In other words, at least four people work on every story to ensure the final product is of the highest quality,” he concluded.

Among the major trends Macedonio sees in the news industry is, “without question,” digital media.