CNN’s Molina to lecture at University of Arkansas

Veronica Molina, the vice president for news standards and practices at CNN Worldwide, will conduct lectures on inclusiveness and ethics in journalism Nov. 11-15 at the University of Arkansas. At CNN, she oversees standards and practices for the organization’s domestic and international TV programming, news gathering and digital content, and partners with those departments to ensure that the network’s reporting is fair, accurate and responsible.

Molina was appointed as the spring 2020 visiting professor at the Center for Ethics in Journalism. However, she wanted to visit the university prior to her official start date, according to reports.

Molina is an integral member of the CNN team as she ensures that CNN platforms are inclusive and challenge conventional viewpoints. She also conducts seminars on ethics in journalism for CNN employees.

Her lectures at the university would allow students a rare opportunity to learn from a top newsroom leader.

“Vero will not only be able to give students a glimpse at the state of journalism today, but also offer insight into what the profession will be looking for from the practitioners of tomorrow in terms of journalistic skills and ethical knowledge,” Raymond McCaffrey, director of the university, said.

“Diversity and inclusion are essential components in today’s newsroom,” said Robyn Starling-Ledbetter, director of student media. “No matter what other programs you put in place, they won’t be effective if student journalists are showing bias or prejudice in their day-to-day decisions. This diversity and inclusion training will open their eyes to wider perspectives and help them perform better.”

“Veronica Molina will bring timely, relevant and up-to-date teaching to both our students and faculty,” said Larry Foley, chair of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media. “She’s involved in varied projects that are impactful across media lines, and it’s going to be rewarding to engage in her practices and vision. We’re honored she accepted our invitation.”

Molina is a distinguished newsroom leader who joined CNN in 2011 after working at Telemundo for nine years. She held the post of senior producer for the national nightly newscast Noticiero Telemundo, in charge of investigations, special events coverage, sponsored series and creating the overall strategy for online enterprises.

She also garnered the National Association of Hispanic Journlists’ award for best investigative report for a series highlighting the dangers of hospital-acquired infections in the United States.

Molina holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master of business administration from Florida International University. She is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Development Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and was honored with NAMIC’s 2018 “Next Generation Leader” award.