Service to provide central source for science and health news serving all Spanish-language media outlets

Washington, DC--(HISPANIC PR WIRE – PR NEWSWIRE)--January 23, 2008--The Self-Reliance Foundation (SRF) and the Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) announced today the launch of ConCiencia, a newswire service in Spanish funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Each week, ConCiencia will provide and release science and health news to all Hispanic media outlets throughout the country.

According to HCN President Carlos Alcazar, “Downsizing and consolidation in the media has left few resources for local media to use to offer science information to their Latino audiences.” Alcazar hopes ConCiencia will enhance the ability of local Spanish-language outlets to provide this vital science and health information that the Hispanic community needs.

Bob Russell, Science Advisor with the Self-Reliance Foundation noted that “Latinos currently achieve lower-than-average math and science scores in public schools and are significantly underrepresented in science and engineering professions.” Russell adds that is why it is critical to provide Hispanic media with an ongoing source of high-quality science news tailored to meet the needs and interests of Hispanics.

ConCiencia’s launch took place today at the National Press Club located downtown Washington, D.C. Attendants to the event include members from the local Hispanic media, Latino community leaders, educational and scientific organizations, among others. Keynote speakers include Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s 2006 Scientist of the Year Dr. Ines Cifuentes and Xavier Serbia, news writer and former Menudo member.

Distribution for ConCiencia’s news products includes newspaper articles, radio segments and online news. Newspaper articles will be distributed in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and other news organizations. ConCiencia’s radio segments will be distributed by HCN through their radio network of over 250 Spanish-language radio stations nationwide reaching millions of listeners each week. ConCiencia also plans on distributing its content over the most heavily-used Hispanic websites. A comprehensive editorial/news gathering process is in place to assure the accuracy, accessibility, and relevance of the science that is presented. Science news used in the service will be gathered from federal research agencies, scientific societies and their publications, and English-language science news services. All feeds will be disseminated in Spanish and edited for Latino interest. ConCiencia offers all its content at no cost to all Spanish-language media outlets that wish to publish it.

ConCiencia’s staff is comprised by renowned journalists and scientists. Robert L. Russell, PhD., with more than twenty years of experience in science education, serves as Science Advisor to ConCiencia. The supervision and coordination of the content production and news gathering processes will be supervised by journalist and media producer Karina Flores-Hurley, who serves as the Chief Editor of the project. Award-winning journalist Isabel Morales serves as the writer and editor of ConCiencia’s news, and Alicia Santiago, PhD., serves as senior science researcher.

ConCiencia’s staff members also rely on the expert advice of educational media and science advisory committee members such as SACNAS’ Executive Director, Judit Camacho, NRDC’s Science Center Director, Gabriela Chavarría, among others.

The audience for Spanish-language media is vast and growing. There are currently more than 1,500 Spanish-language newspapers in print in the U.S. with a total circulation of over 42 million copies. Hispanics also represent the fastest-growing Internet market. Nearly half of Hispanics currently have Internet access at home and spend 9.8 hours per week online, compared to 8.1 hours for non-Hispanics.

Media Notes: For more information on ConCiencia or to begin receiving its news products, please contact Duly Fernandez at 202.360.4052 or duly.fernandez@hcnmedia.com