Hugo Balta is the Publisher of the Latino News Network (LNN). LNN oversees seven local independent and national digital news outlets in the U.S. LNN provides greater visibility to Hispanic and Latino communities and amplifies the work of others in doing the same. The network mentors young journalists and affords them real-world experiences. LNN applies the principles of solutions journalism to its investigative reporting. Balta is an accredited solutions journalism trainer.

A news veteran, Balta has led newsrooms in multiple markets and platforms. He has held positions as the former Executive Editor of The Chicago Reporter, News Director of Chicago’s PBS Station, WTTW, Editor with WBBM News Radio, and Vice President of News of Telemundo New York. 

Balta is the only person to serve twice as President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) in its nearly 40 years. During his presidency, NAHJ launched Palabra, the first-ever news platform published by a journalism organization. The organization also produced the Cultural Competence Handbook to improve the coverage of Hispanics and Latinos. He was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

A nationally recognized advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion in newsrooms, Balta hosts a free journalism camp focused on covering race, ethnicity, and culture. The camp is sponsored by the Hortencia Zavala Foundation (HZF), a not-for-profit founded by Balta in honor of his maternal grandmother. HZF also raises money for scholarships and provides paid internships.

Balta is also an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago, teaching journalism courses focused on all aspects of newsroom collaboration in the coverage of local news. 

Originally from Northern New Jersey, Balta lives in Chicago with his wife Adriana and children Isabella and Esteban.