A John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant will help Connecticut Public and Puerto Rico newspaper publisher GFR Media add two reporters.
A Monday news release said one reporter will be based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the other in Hartford, Conn. It did not include the grant’s amount but described it as “substantial.”
Puerto Ricans make up a larger percentage of Connecticut’s population than in any other state, according to the release. The reporters will also boost Somos Connecticut, Connecticut Public’s initiative to elevate stories and connect with Latino communities.
“This grant allows us to build a unique bridge between the Puerto Rican diaspora in Connecticut and the island itself,” said Connecticut Public CEO Mark G. Contreras in the release. “We are grateful to Knight Foundation for their vision and support of this innovative initiative.”
The new journalists will collaborate on news stories and coverage of food, music and shared traditions, the release said.
“This project embodies what we at Knight strive to achieve: fostering informed and engaged communities through impactful journalism,” said Jim Brady, Knight’s VP of journalism, in the release. “By connecting the Puerto Rican diaspora in Connecticut with the Island through shared stories and experiences, this initiative serves as a model for communities across the country.”
GFR Media publishes Puerto Rico’s El Nuevo Día and Primera Hora.
“The stories and voices of Puerto Ricans deserve to be heard in all their complexity and vibrancy,” said Maria Eugenia Ferré Rangel, GFR Media’s board chairwoman, in the release. “Through this collaboration with Connecticut Public, we are able to highlight shared experiences, bridge divides, and celebrate the deep cultural ties that unite our communities.”