Edmundo Escobedo Jr. has decided to retire the weekly print edition of El Mundo, the Spanish-language newspaper he founded with his father nearly 50 years ago.
Despite its long history of covering community events in Las Vegas, the pressures faced by newspapers nationally and the changing landscape of media have compelled Escobedo to take this significant step.
El Mundo, once brimming with vibrant stories of weddings, quinceañeras, and soccer matches, has reduced from its zenith of 100-page editions to just 12 pages, reflecting the struggles faced by print media today.
In late March, Escobedo announced the paper’s final weekly print edition, a move he knew would not only impact his work but also resonate with the community that deeply valued the publication.
“I know my dad probably shed a tear in heaven, but he would look down and say, ‘I understand things change,’” Escobedo shared in an interview shortly after the announcement.
El Mundo’s conclusion marks an end of an era, coinciding with the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s cessation of its Spanish-language news coverage just months prior.
Keith Moyer, the Review-Journal’s publisher and editor, stated the decision was driven by dwindling readership and viewership, leading to the loss of four staff members.
Together, these closures have been met with concern from community members who feel a significant information gap is emerging within a state where one-third of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and where 20% speak Spanish at home.
Luis Bonilla, a prominent radio broadcaster in Las Vegas, emphasizes that while current media outlets may exist, the rich history of local print journalism is rapidly disappearing.
Yet, Escobedo maintains hope for El Mundo’s future.
While the print edition will no longer be published, he intends to breathe new life into El Mundo by transitioning it into the digital realm.
“Our plan is to tailor our content to meet the unique needs of the community … by returning to the basics, focusing on local events like soccer, baseball, dances, and community gatherings,” Escobedo explained.
The father-son duo launched El Mundo in 1981 after a variety of community-facing business ventures.
At that time, the Latino population in Las Vegas was around 60,000 to 70,000, a stark contrast to today’s demographics.
Escobedo reminisced about the paper’s early days, recalling how he and his father spent countless hours putting together articles, pausing only to attend local sports games or community events, ensuring their newspaper truly represented the desires and concerns of local families.
“My dad’s philosophy was always local, local, local,” Escobedo affirmed, emphasizing the importance of being involved in the community for the paper’s success.
As El Mundo became a foundational part of the Latino community’s culture, it transitioned from simple news reporting to a vital source for everything from cultural events to local job postings.
During its peak, El Mundo employed a staff of 24 and circulated 45,000 copies weekly, thriving on advertisements despite growing competition from digital and broadcast media.
Roberto Peleáz, a journalist who joined El Mundo in 2009, witnessed the paper evolve during its journey, extending its coverage to include essential information that supported its readers in their daily lives.
“There are thousands of people who don’t know how to use a computer or navigate the web… and they would wait every Friday to read the paper at home or while they are waiting for a doctor’s appointment or the bus,” Peleáz noted.
This sentiment has been echoed by community leaders who recognize the importance of local journalism.
Selene Lozada, the founder of a nonprofit organization, recounted how Peleáz’s articles significantly contributed to her group’s visibility and outreach during the pandemic.
The broader media landscape has seen a dramatic decline in print journalism, with revenues from newspaper advertising plummeting from $50 billion two decades ago to just $10 billion today, indicating the need for transformation within traditional media.
Data from the Pew Research Center illustrates this decline further—circulation numbers have dipped from 60 million in the 1990s to approximately 20.1 million by 2022, affecting local newspapers across the nation.
In Nevada, the impact of these trends has been visible with several newspapers reducing their print frequency or shutting down altogether.
Escobedo pointed to the pandemic’s devastating effect on El Mundo’s business, particularly emphasizing the economic downturn’s impact on local advertisers.
Despite these challenges, Escobedo believes the cultural significance of print media is deeply rooted within the Latino community, especially among older residents.
But he recognizes that younger demographics are increasingly drawn to faster, digital mediums, leaving traditional print struggling to captivate a new audience.
Media researcher Lourdes Cueva Chacón highlights the necessity for traditional media outlets to pivot their delivery methods to directly engage their audiences through social media and other digital platforms.
She explained, “When you had your newspaper subscription, it was delivered to your door, but now it’s delivered to your social media inbox.”
In Northern Nevada, similar stories reflect the struggle and closure of various Spanish-language media outlets.
El Sol de Nevada, launched in 2003, has shifted to a fully digital platform, facing the same challenges as El Mundo amid rising operational costs and diminishing demand for print journalism.
Founder Fernando Gutierrez expressed concern over the community’s urgent need for local news, despite his ongoing health struggles impacting operations.
As print media outlets diminish, new approaches have also emerged.
Fiesta 98.1 FM, a Las Vegas-based radio station, founded during the pandemic, has garnered significant engagement by focusing on localized community efforts through social media.
Co-founder Rafael Cerros believes their success comes from active participation in Las Vegas’ Latino community, showcasing that alternative media formats can thrive despite the decline of print journalism.
Escobedo anticipates that El Mundo will successfully transition into a digital platform soon, combining the enthusiasm of younger staff with the seasoned experience of veterans who understand the importance of local connections.
He instructs, “Technology changes. Everything changes. El Mundo Digital will be something that we can take care of and again concentrate on the local community.”
While the printed version may be gone, the spirit of El Mundo aims to continue evolving, seeking relevance in the digital age.
image source from：https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/spanish-language-newspaper-ceases-printing-after-45-years-leaving-void-in-las-vegas
