Meaningful media in the Pacific Northwest
How Johanna Bejarano is bringing Central Washington Latino stories to public media
The Pacific Northwest has many great Latino/a journalists. You meet one this OIGO.
Johanna Bejarano is a bilingual media and communication professional whose work spans over 15 years across Latin America and the U.S., marked by a deep commitment to public service journalism and community storytelling. Originally from Colombia, her journalism roots lie in vibrant regional newsrooms and classrooms, where she worked as both a reporter and instructor guiding future journalists. Today, she’s a multiplatform content producer at Northwest Public Broadcasting, focused on telling nuanced, community-centered stories across radio, video, and digital platforms.
Bejarano’s reporting in Central Washington spotlights voices often underrepresented in public media, especially those of Hispanic communities. Her coverage explores issues like immigration, labor, voting rights and the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women. She also produces and hosts Resumen Semanal de Noticias, a Spanish-language news show that brings timely, accessible journalism to audiences across the region.
With academic credentials and a background in digital journalism research, Johanna Bejarano bridges theory and practice in her work. She brings both a global and deeply local lens to storytelling, and her journalism is driven by trust-building, authenticity and a desire to reflect the full complexity of community life.
In this conversation with OIGO, Bejarano shares what led her to public broadcasting in Central Washington, how she navigates community-centered journalism across cultures and platforms, and why collaborative, bilingual storytelling is essential for public media today.
How did you get into public broadcasting in this community?
I’m originally from Colombia. I immigrated to the United States in 2014 because my mom had been living here and many people in my family were already here. But when we migrate, we basically need to start over. So all the experience we have in our country doesn’t necessarily transfer.
In Colombia, I worked for regional newspapers, and I also worked for over nine years as a professor in journalism, guiding students in deep reporting.
When I came here, I started looking for opportunities where I could apply my bilingual skills. So I applied to different places, one of them being this position as a bilingual multiplatform reporter in Washington State.
It was really interesting because, in our minds, the largest Latino populations are in Florida, California, Texas and New York, but I never thought about Central Washington State. So I began investigating a lot about the Yakima Valley and the Bracero program and the Mexican communities here. Many places have large Hispanic populations. I was so happy to come here and serve these communities with my reporting.
I had always worked as a reporter for newspapers, magazines, digital media, but I had never done public radio or radio before. So that also made it exciting to try something different. I worried a bit about having a heavy accent, but it has been challenging and also rewarding in many ways — being able to tell stories I think are important for many people here. Not just for the Latino/Hispanic community, but also for people who are non‑Latino and want to understand who we are and what happens every day for us.
What has been the most interesting facet of being in this community and presenting the community story?
One of the beautiful things I’ve experienced is that there are so many stories to cover and so many dynamics within our own communities. When I first came, I was a Colombian, with my partner, another Colombian. I didn’t know many people. I knew Mexican people and some Salvadorans. Now I see people from other places arriving — Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba are among the backgrounds.
Getting all this knowledge and finding both similarities as well as things that make us different and powerful as a diverse group is so interesting. This is a community that cares, that helps, and tries to provide the cultural enrichment it has to share with others, Latinos and non‑Latinos.
I’ve also seen different attitudes of support from people who are not part of these specific communities, but want to learn and understand the challenges or barriers that these communities experience. That’s very interesting.
Another thing is that in Central Washington, the Latino community is different from what you might see on the western part of the state. So I try to show cultural expressions. For example, there is a Peruvian community on the west side, there are Colombians or other groups here, and it shows that even though we’re all in the same state, we’re multi‑faceted, different “colors,” mixing and trying to show themselves.
From your observation with the community and your sources, what motivates people to move to Central Washington? How does that shape your stories?
In part, it’s because of the labor market. I’ve heard from people who come here because they know there is work in agriculture or warehouses and that they can get good pay. Some friends they may have came before them and told them that. Also, they find that this state has other kinds of opportunities for them. The quality of life and the attractiveness of the region are also part of it.
I would also say — and this is anecdotal from what I’ve heard — that some people come here because they feel they will not face discrimination like they might in other states. That’s a reality I’ve heard about.
As far as my work, I try to show that we are really diverse. Because sometimes, you know, we love Mexican culture, but everyone thinks that because we speak Spanish, we are all Mexican. That’s not the case. We may love mariachi, but there’s also salsa, there are Peruvian rhythms and many aspects that don’t necessarily fit one view of Latino culture. For example, I learned about a project at Washington State University (WSU) where an Argentinian professor is collecting stories about Latinas in Benton County. Many have Mexican heritage, but not all. So I try to find ways to show the aspects that involve this community and teach people that there are nuances among us, and that it’s important to recognize and be proud of those.
What story stands out for you as something you’re really proud of?
I cover Hispanic/Latino issues mainly, but also other groups. One I’ll never forget was a story about a woman was deported, and years later she was able to come back and see her kids again because she got her residency. That was very emotional.
I also did a multiplatform project with Palabra journalist Lygia Navarro about long COVID and how it’s affecting the community here. I feel very proud of that one because we covered something that nobody was talking about locally, especially when the Yakima Valley was hit hard by COVID.
Another I’m proud of is the series called Harvest at the Crossroads, a bilingual, multiplatform project about the impact of immigration in an area with lots of agriculture, local and guest workers. Some are on H‑2A visas, some are local workers, some families of workers or deported workers. We also looked at the industry: how the harvest itself was affected. This series shows the importance of collaboration because we had to pool resources, reporters, an editor at the local Spanish‑language newspaper and team members at NWPB, working with a grant from the Poynter Institute.
Tell me more about how your collaboration practically worked. Did you meet regularly? How did you decide the approach and how it came together?
For those specific cases, yes. Another reporter approached me and we started looking for ideas. Then together we shaped the whole thing: “What stories will we do? Who will interview? Which sources? How will we compile the work?” Some collaborations were external with other groups and some internal with social media and website teams to figure out how to show the work best, such as with landing pages, bilingual content and so on.
Sometimes you have dreams, but those dreams may not be technically or realistically possible. So I try to plan in advance: what I want to discuss, what we can do. We have a lot of conversation. When there is heavy reporting, we say: “Okay, we need to stop and just organize what we actually have.” But also everyone on the team needs to go toward the same goal: showing a strong piece with all the information, fact‑checked.
How did you decide what was realistic vs unrealistic in terms of doing this coverage?
Good question. In my mind everything is realistic. I’ll give an example: I did a series of stories I really loved about mariachi for Hispanic Heritage Month — one about the mariachi culture in Washington State, one about mariachi education, one about the visit of Lupita Infante to Washington State. Three features for radio; three web versions in English; three web versions in Spanish; a landing page with all that. That on paper might seem unrealistic given time and resources. But if you organize the structure — story goes here, interview these people, web version, Spanish version, etc. — you can do it, if you have the time. If you’re also producing your weekly/daily spot for the regular newscast at the same time, then maybe it’s not feasible.
In the Harvest at the Crossroads case: it was a series of four stories, bilingual, radio/web/social media. We realized early on it was a lot. We collaborated: local Spanish‑language newspaper, other reporters at NWPB, editors. The key I found: you must have the structure in your head. If you can’t imagine what goes where, it won’t work. So I try to imagine: “Topic to radio story one, radio story two; web story one in English, web story one in Spanish; social post this; schedule release this week, next week, etc.” Also talk with the team: “Do we have time? Are we doing this too soon? Can we finish this?” Planning and being realistic helps.
What advice would you give to a public media organization or someone working at a station who wants to report in the community?
The most important part is knowing the community. Approaching the community with real intentions of getting to know them and establishing a long‑term relationship. Because what I’ve seen: organizations sometimes schedule a meeting, go there to “connect,” but then they leave. They might listen, but they don’t really listen or follow up. Or they aren’t prepared. For example: if you go to a community meeting for folks who don’t have cable‑TV, or they don’t have reliable internet or cell service, and you ask, “Are you listening to our station?” That means you didn’t really investigate beforehand. You need to know how people get information.
Another thing: have advisory or focus groups periodically meet to ask: “What do you really want?” Then build the content around what audiences say, not just what your resources or time allow.
For reporters: attend community celebrations and events; if community members play soccer, go play soccer with them. These are places where you make connections and understand lives, not just show up for interviews. Especially in our communities: we talk, we socialize, we are involved in events. So showing up matters.
One more practical tip: We started a weekly news piece on YouTube in Spanish (we’re in the second year). That shows that if media are interested in serving Hispanic and Latino communities, they should have a strategy, not just scattered efforts. Everything should be connected: the YouTube channel, a newsletter, WhatsApp group, social media, website… all integrated. And you need a team and budget for that. It’s not just a side project. 🟢
Cafecito: stories to discuss ☕
SLC coverage. KSL spotlights the work of new public media station Avanza to serve bilingual Utahns. 📻
More on Latinx voting. Worth following as we head to midterms, Semafor digs into the data you’re hearing about — Latinos’ wavering support for the GOP — with additional context around Democrats’ gains (or lack thereof) among our constituency. ✍🏻
Pioneer passes. ABC news reporter Jim Avila, one of the most visible Hispanic journalists on network TV for many years, has died. 🙏 The New York Times offered an obituary.
New media venture. Puerto Rican hitmaker Ozuna has announced the launch of a new platform, called Mucho, devoted to “celebrating and amplifying the voice of young US Latinos through music, sports, fashion, and pop culture.” Music Ally says streaming TV is the first initiative.
El radar: try this 📡
See how restaurants are tackling tariffs. Connecticut Public has a great angle on a story you’ve heard lots about: how are Latino establishments dealing with tariffs? 💰 I’m unsure public media is covering this much, but it is a big deal to local small business.
Find what Latine population growth means locally. Plenty of outlets are covering the remarkable growth of Hispanic populations nationwide, but how does that shape communities? 📈 Colorado Public Radio investigated the trends with a focus on its state.
Highlight Latinx civil rights history locally. Texas Public Radio has a thoughtful story on a new exhibit chronicling the fight to end Mexican American segregation in Texas schools. 🏫 It revolves around a 1968 case in which Black and Mexican American families sued a school district to ensure school desegregation.
Share veteran stories. KCUR has a thoughtful story about Mexican American veterans and their contributions to the military. 🫡 This matter bears mentioning far beyond Veterans Day locally.
Pay attention to eating disorders and Hispanics. An important story via De Los talks about binge eating disorder and the number of Latinos affected, but how few have formal diagnoses. 🍔
The next OIGO arrives Dec. 5. I’ll be in Austin in late January as part of a Google News Initiative cohort. If you are in my home state and want to get coffee, I’d love to say hola. Please reach out.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll share word on social media about a limited-run documentary narrative podcast I’m producing for release in 2026. The series traces the true story of a controversial new religious movement group and how it evolved into something entirely unexpected. This is my first big step into podcasts, and I’d welcome your guidance or insights as I shape this passion project.
And because I believe deeply in the mission of public media, if you’re at a station and see opportunity in partnering as a host, I’d love to hear from you. (Disclosure: I’m not seeking money.)
You can buy me a coffee if you’d like to support the newsletter. 🤎