“You always have to look for sources that are serious. Over the years one refines one's eye to see the details that can make me think that something is manipulated, if it is a half truth or if it has an orientation beyond that which is only to inform. ", she pointed out.
Then he expanded: “As for the news that interests me, I consult several sources that I try to make them known. That is to say, that they are sources with whom I have worked and I know how their way of treating information is. I compare between various media to see how real it can be”.
Given the rise of social networks, Ubieta stressed that these "are not a means of communication," so trying to get information through it "is the first mistake that can be made."
“I don't use social networks to inform me of absolutely anything and that is part of the containment wall against false news,” he stressed, although he admitted that on some occasions he has been wrong with the publication of facts that have not turned out to be true .
“What I try to do in the face of the onslaught of social networks as a means of communication or information is to avoid informing myself through social networks. Unless it is the social network of a means of communication. Although there are situations such as Cuba, Venezuela or Nicaragua that should be referred to because in many cases there is no information in traditional sources," he stressed.
Ubieta mentioned that since the massification of smart cell phones "everyone is a reporter", but the difference is that the journalist is based on where, how, when and why.
“I look for whose information it is. Who sent the material, since when a story goes viral, it can be modified as it becomes more well-known and it is possible that the tenth person who receives it has a different story from the original. But in countries like Cuba, there is no choice but to review them and try not to confuse the facts in terms of places and dates.”
Anyone know how to clean the nozzles on my Epson 2200 printer without the printer tools? My Mac wont run the utilities!
— C D Wed Mar 02 16:40:20 +0000 2011
Standing to the norm
For Lourdes Ubieta, who has a degree in International Studies from the Central University of Venezuela, has a master's degree in Communication from McGill University in Canada and a specialization in Business from the University Miami, at this time the responsibility as a communicator is much greater, since "we are seeing how history unfolds before our eyes, especially in the Cuban case."
For this professional, it is necessary to try to achieve a balance between what she wants to see and what she really is. “It is very important not to get carried away by emotion in the cases of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. And trying to maintain synderesis in these moments of so many emotions is what costs me the most ”.
Opinions and respect
“My impression is that journalists don't get involved anymore. Also, the ratings tell you. In the US, the programs where the presenters give their opinion get involved, discuss, question and put their opinion on the table. Those are the ones with the most audience. People want the presenter's participation. The numbers tell you and this is replicated in the radio programs”, he assured.
“I think there is a limit. The presenter or journalist can express her opinion, but it cannot be imposed on the audience. That is where the detail is. I give you my opinion, but I do not impose it on you, since that crosses the red line of respect for the viewer or the radio listener. Even in an opinion program there is a red line that should not be crossed out of respect for your viewers," he clarified.
Although Ubieta considers the Miami public to be the most difficult for which he has worked, since his audience is made up of people of diverse origins, from 35 to 85 years old, with Cubans first, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans Dominicans, Colombians and Panamanians; so her songs must be well chosen to capture the attention of these radio listeners and who prefer to hear “this Venezuelan daughter of Cubans” and not change the dial or put on a podcast.
The key to success for Ubieta has been his perseverance at work, the dedication he puts into what he undertakes and saying no to mediocrity.
“I took on the challenge of taking the schedule from 4 to 6 in the afternoon. When I started I didn't have any mark in the Arbitron indexes, (company in charge of measuring the audience of the stations). Two months ago we reached second place, with a growth of 171% and only half a point separates me from first place. This encourages me to continue working with more enthusiasm”, he reflected.
For her, the main recommendation is “to be flexible enough to know how to work in a group. Be determined at work and always say no to mediocrity."