Yolanda Zugasti of Univisión 23: We consider manipulation of information our worst enemy

Yolanda Zugasti, News Director at Univision 23 Miami, has prioritized reconnecting the newscast with the South Florida community in her six months on the job.

Zugasti, a representative of the 23, stated that one of their top priorities is to maintain close communication with the communities. The 23 has always been a leader in the community, and they started with festivals like the one on Calle Ocho. This community has grown significantly and is now very diverse. To stay connected, they toured 10 cities in South Florida in just five days in February.

She noted that digital and interactivity are a top priority for their organization. They are focusing on the digital aspect of their work, such as Facebook Live, YouTube, and town halls. She also mentioned that they are planning to organize an interactive piece about the abortion law referendum in Florida in May. “The interactive element will allow the audience to ask questions digitally and receive immediate responses. The aim is to revitalize the digital and interactive aspects of the work. We have received positive feedback from the public for our reporters’ Facebook Live coverage during parades, and they are keen to continue providing engaging content in this format.”

She said they are also working on something very visually appealing for May, covering Fleet Week, an annual event hosted by the US Navy. It will be the first time the event is held in the Port of Miami, after previously being held in Fort Lauderdale. She further stated that they are collaborating with Fleet Week to broadcast live from one of the Navy’s amphibious ships.

FAKE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
She noted that one of the biggest hurdles in news production is the prevalence of fake news. “Fake news is a significant threat, and it is crucial to verify all news constantly.” The producer mentioned that they receive news through various mediums such as email, calls, WhatsApp, and their digital page, and it’s important to corroborate all incoming news to ensure that AI or a hacker does not create them.

She mentioned social media as another challenge. “Our biggest competition is not other channels, but social media. Social networks tend to pick up immediate news, but it is important to corroborate the information to avoid people being misled. We consider the manipulation of information our worst enemy in this regard.”

“Competing with mobile devices is a challenge, which is why we are adding more news about reggaeton artists to stay relevant with our youth audience”, she noted.

TECH ADVANCES
She highlighted that a technological resource they use regularly is LiveU equipment. “Before, one was with a mobile unit to be able to go live. Now, we can go live with something as small as a backpack. We now have ten reporters who can go live simultaneously in ten different locations.”

Zugasti believes that virtual meetings, such as Zoom, are a valuable technological advancement in the field of news production and coverage. She notes that since COVID restrictions were imposed, journalists have had to adapt to remote interviewing techniques, allowing them to conduct interviews with people from all over the world. This has opened up many new possibilities for television stations, without affecting their budgets. Previously, everything on TV had to be perfect, but now people are more tolerant of a slightly grainy image or less than optimal screen quality during a Zoom call.

Other technological resources they use are virtual sets with green screens and virtual reality. “This also gives you many options to do things that look like you are in Paris or a war zone,” she said.

Univision 23 is using drones and a helicopter to enhance its news coverage. The newly acquired helicopter, named Halcón 23, helps the channel to promptly reach any location in Miami. According to Zugasti, it could take up to two hours to reach a place in Miami due to traffic. Therefore, the helicopter has proved to be a valuable asset. Univision 23 collaborates with two other local channels, CBS Channel 4 and ABC Channel 10, to cover news events effectively. The aerial videos captured by the helicopter provide an immediate signal of an affected area.

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